France continues to cook, Wednesday August 23: 19 departments are in red vigilance on a diagonal going from Gers to Ain, and 37 others in orange for heat wave. Despite this, “we are not seeing overcrowding today” hospitals due to the heat wave, assures Elisabeth Borne, guest of France Bleu at midday. Follow our live the latest information about the heat wave.
Heat record again broken. The temperature record set on Monday has already been beaten: Tuesday was the hottest day ever recorded in France after August 15, with a national thermal indicator of 27.1 degrees, said Météo-France.
Probable records at the key. “A lasting and intense heat wave has settled over the southern two-thirds of the country. It is remarkable, even exceptional, from now on in the Rhône Valley and in the south of the Massif Central, then gradually in Occitania and up to west of Aquitaine tomorrow”, notes Météo-France. The maximum temperatures will reach 40 to 42 degrees, or even locally more, with probable records at the key, warns the meteorological service.
A heat wave expected Wednesday and Thursday. “The heatwave peak is expected between today [mercredi] and Thursday”according to the forecaster, stressing that vigilance in certain departments, “especially in the south of New Aquitaine”could increase in the face of the duration and intensity of the heat wave. “Across France, this is the first time that such an intense heat wave has been observed so late in the summer”adds Météo-France.