France: Heatwave affecting 51 departments June 19-21 /update 1

Event

The French meteorological agency (Météo France) has issued “orange” alerts - the second-highest on a four tiered risk rating scale, indicating potentially dangerous conditions - for 51 departments across France on Monday, June 19. Météo France originally issued an alert on the morning of June 19 for the departments of Charente, Charente-Maritime, Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Maine-et-Loire, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Deux-Sèvres, Vendée, Vienne, and Haute-Vienne in the southwest, as well as Paris, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, and Val-de-Marne. On the afternoon of June 19, the list was updated to include 35 additional departments: Ain, Allier, Ariège, Cher, Corrèze, Côte-d’Or, creuse, Eure-et-Loire, Haute-garonne, Gers, Ile-et-Vilaine, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Isère, Jura, Loir-et-Cher, Loire, Loire-Atlantique, Loiret, Lot, Mayenne, Nièvre, Orne, Puy-de-Dôme, Hautes-Pyrénées, Rhône, Saône-et-Loire, Sarthe, Seine-et-Marne, Yvelines, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Yonne, Essone, and Val-d’Oise.

The heat alert is currently set to expire at 16:00 (local time) on Tuesday, June 20, although the advisory could be extended if conditions warrant.

Advice

Individuals in affected areas are advised to keep abreast of local weather forecasts, avoid strenuous outdoor activity, remain indoors as much as possible between 10:00 and 16:00 (local time) when temperatures tend to peak, stay well-hydrated (with sugar-free, non-alcoholic beverages), and wear loose, light-colored clothing. Do not hesitate to seek medical attention if displaying symptoms of heatstroke (high fever, hot, red, dry skin, headache, nausea, drowsiness, intense thirst, confusion, convulsions, and loss of consciousness).