The heatwave episode, “intense and long-lasting” continues, Tuesday, August 22, over a large part of France with 49 departments placed by Météo-France in orange vigilance and 4 in red vigilance. “A lasting and intense heat wave for the period has settled over the country”announces the forecaster. “In the Rhône Valley as well as in the east of the Massif Central, the heat continues to intensify”underlines the public establishment, noting the “exceptional character” of the phenomenon in this area “because of its intensity and duration”. Follow our live the latest information about the heat wave.
Red and orange vigilance. Heatwave red vigilance is triggered in Ardèche, Drôme, Haute-Loire and Rhône (69) on Tuesday from 3 p.m. The heatwave orange vigilance will be extended to Deux-Sèvres, Vendée and Vienne, i.e. still nearly fifty departments in heatwave orange vigilance in total.
Expected temperatures. “The minimums often do not drop below 20-22°C, or even 23-25°C locally, especially in urban areas. The maximums range between 36 and 39°C in general”specifies Météo-France. “It is still in the Drôme and the Ardèche that the most severe temperature levels are expected with frequently more than 40-42°C for the maximum”warns the forecaster again.
Longer term forecasts. The very high temperatures will continue until the middle of the week with 39 to 42 degrees expected on Wednesday and Thursday, in the south-west and the Rhône valley, before a drop in temperatures which will begin slowly on Friday, according to Météo-France .