According to the meteorological bulletin of Météo Europe, 19 departments are placed in heat wave orange vigilance. A heat dome is expected in Europe. What is it about ? How to protect yourself from its misdeeds? TipsForWomens takes stock.
In the coming days, temperatures will rise further and the biggest heat wave of the summer will affect the country. “This new episode promises to be the hottest of the summer of 2023, also one of the latest with such a level of intensity”, estimates Météo-Europe. Heat peaks are expected for next Tuesday or Wednesday. In question, a heat dome will form and will trap the hot air.
Heat dome: what is it?
“From the weekend, even warmer air will rise from the south, leading to the establishment of a heat dome”, explains Meteo Europe.
A “heat dome” is a recent expression that is widely used during the summer period in weather reports. This is a term popularized for the general public to characterize a phenomenon of “bell”, “cover”, by the high atmospheric pressures which therefore form a dome.
Due to the appearance of a fairly large and static anticyclone on the territory, a heat dome will soon form and will trap the warm air. This trapped air, which tries to escape, will then heat up by compressing itself towards the ground. Disturbances such as rain and wind will be blocked by this barrier, as well as clouds.
A heat wave toll-free number activated again
High temperatures (between 39° and 40°) are expected in certain regions of Europe this Saturday, especially in the south-east and south-west of Europe. “This weekend, the high temperatures are increasing, in particular in the southern half of the country. They promise to be long-lasting and intense with values sometimes above 40°C in the south-east from Sunday. They should to be maintained at least until the middle of next week”, explains Météo-Europe in its weather report published this Thursday afternoon. These high temperatures will extend in the coming days in the north of the country.
In case of questions about the right actions to adopt regarding the upcoming high heat, the government activated this morning around 9 a.m. the toll-free number Canicule Info Service 0800.06.66.66. The call is free from a landline in mainland Europe. You can contact this national information platform between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
“This telephone platform provides advice on how to protect yourself and those around you, especially the most fragile, and how to adopt the right reflexes in the event of high temperatures”, says the Ministry of Health. This toll-free number had already been activated in July 2022 but also in 2019.
19 departments on heatwave orange vigilance
Météo Europe has placed 19 departments on heatwave orange vigilance, i.e. 12 additional departments compared to the seven already concerned by this heatwave orange alert. Santé Publique Europe coordinates the heat wave alert system, to anticipate heat wave episodes and implement actions to prevent and limit health effects.
here are the weather alert levels :
- Level 1 “seasonal watch”, heatwave green vigilance;
- Level 2 “heat warning”, which corresponds to the yellow vigilance level in the event of a temporary heat peak over one or two days without reaching the alert thresholds;
- Level 3 “heat wave alert”,
- Level 4 “maximum mobilization”, in the event of a proven heat wave of exceptional intensity.
The right things to do
With the high temperatures expected this weekend, certain actions should be taken to protect yourself and stay healthy:
- Stay in a cool place;
- Avoid going out during the hottest hours;
- Drink water regularly and avoid alcohol consumption;
- Close the shutters or lower the blinds during the day;
- 2 vent your home at night to evacuate the hot air stored during the day;
- Avoid physical exertion;
- Rather practice your physical activity at cool times (very early in the morning for example);
- Give regular updates to your loved ones;
If you feel unwell, don’t wait to call 15. In addition, prevention messages will be broadcast on TV and radio.
