HEAT WAVE VIGILANCE CARD. In summer, in the event of a heat wave, Météo France publishes a heat wave vigilance map every day. But what do these ranks mean? Here is all you need to know.
[Updated on July 25, 2023 at 10:09 a.m.] Météo France and the government are now working together to best manage heat waves, and each year a heat wave plan is put in place in parallel with the vigilance map. Level 1 of the heatwave plan is activated on June 1. 3 other levels exist: level 2 (yellow vigilance), level 3 (orange vigilance) and level 4 (red vigilance).
In July (from July 9 to 25, 2023), Météo-France placed several departments in the south-east of France on orange and yellow vigilance due to a heat wave. The red vigilance level has not been reached. What do the different levels of alertness and heat wave plan mean? What measures has the government put in place with the heat wave plan? Here’s what you need to know.
Every day during heat waves, Météo France updates its vigilance map at 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. There are 3 levels of heat wave alertness:
The green color on the Météo-France map means that there is no special vigilance.
Here is an example of a map published by Météo-France (July 18, 2022), with the three alert levels.
After the heatwave episode of 2003, the government decided to set up a National Heatwave Plan (PNC). This heat wave plan is then activated each year from June 1 to September 15 in order to monitor seasonal weather conditions and to be able to act and warn in the event of a heat wave. This plan defines a total of 4 alert levels, with measures to be put in place for each to limit the health effects and protect the most vulnerable people such as the elderly, infants, children, infants, pregnant women, etc. The heat wave plan also makes it possible to identify vulnerable and isolated people. During a heat wave, take the right steps.
The national heat wave plan defines 4 levels:
Each level of the heat wave plan corresponds to a very specific system piloted by Public Health France, with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, in order to raise awareness and inform the French of the risks associated with each level of vigilance, of the precautions to be taken in the event of a heat wave episode, to protect the most vulnerable (infants, pregnant women, the elderly, etc.) or the people most exposed to heat due to their work, and thus avoid a health crisis. Here are the actions taken:
The Minister of Health and Prevention, François Braun, announced on July 13 that he was reactivating the toll-free number Canicule info service. You can reach 0800 06 66 66 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday (free call from a landline in France). An operator will inform you about the heat wave, give you advice on what to do in case of high temperatures to cool you down and lower the temperature in your accommodation.
