Weather Warnings, Heatwaves & Water Restrictions in France

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Weather Warnings, Heatwaves & Water Restrictions in France

MeteoFrance issues national weather warnings. These are published on a map updated twice daily.

• For up-to-the minute weather warnings: Click here (in French)

 There are four categories of alert, they are:

These degrees of alert may be further clarified into the follow types of bad weather conditions. The are identified as:

• violent winds (vent violent) 
• extremely heavy rain (pluie-inondation) 
• thunderstorms (orage) 
• snow and ice (neige-verglas) 
• Heatwave / extreme temperatures (canicule)

Heat

Each summer France runs a heat wave warning system, the plan canicule, intended to prevent and fight against the medical consequences of a heat wave. Weather reports on TV, radio and in newspapers will quote the four levels of alert with orange being a high alert and red maximum mobilisation.

• Level 1: No alert in place

• Level 2: Pre-alarm: Heat wave forecast for three days. Preventions and protection to be put into effect 

• Level 3: Alarm: Effective heat wave. People to behave appropriately
• Level 4: Maximum Mobilisation: Heat wave with severe medical impact expected 

People are recommended to take precautions by staying out of direct heat and sun and drinking water regularly and special care should be taken of the young, elderly and ill. 

Weather warnings

• From the Ministère de la Santé: Click here (in French)
• Heat wave Information Service (Canicule Info Service): 0800 06 66 66 (freephone Monday to Saturday 08:00-20:00)
• For a map of the weather warnings: Click here (in French)

Drought and Water

Water restrictions are frequently in place in parts of France. The Ministère d'Ecologie et du Développement website carries regular updates on communes in which restrictions have been imposed as well as what those restrictions are. Once water restrictions are in force, local government will make a map available showing the levels of restrictions in each area.

They are:

• Level 1: Limited restrictions 
• Level 2: Severe restrictions
• Level 3: Total restriction

Further information is available from the local Mairie or Préfecture.

Emergency numbers

• SAMU (ambulance/medical): 15 
• Fire Service:18 
• Pan European emergency number 112 
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Poitou-Charentes emergency telephone numbers

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