The Paris region and other regions in France are suffering from an unusual heat wave for this time of year and associated massive air pollution. The prefecture declared the orange alert level, the second highest of four levels, for 14 departments around Paris on Friday, but refrained from restricting car traffic. The yellow warning level applies to 37 other departments, including Brittany.
For a week now, temperatures in the capital and the surrounding departments have been rising above 30 degrees every day. On Friday, 20 degrees were measured in Paris in the early morning hours, when it is coolest. Maximum temperatures of up to 37 degrees inland were predicted for that day. Such a heat wave in September was “unprecedented,” the National Weather Service said.
The elderly must stay indoors
The heat leads to high ozone and particulate matter levels in many areas. The prefecture therefore calls on the population, especially the elderly, to avoid spending time outdoors and exercising and to drink enough water.
In many areas, grape harvest must take place at night
In many schools in France, children and young people suffered from high temperatures in the first week of the new school year. Many schoolyards in Paris are made of concrete and offer little shade. In some wine-growing areas, harvest took place at night to protect the harvested grapes from the heat. About 29 degrees are expected at the start of the Rugby World Cup on Friday evening in the Stade de France.
According to climate scientists, human-induced climate change is not only causing higher temperatures in the summer months, but also unusually early and late heat waves in the year. The latest heat wave is expected to last until the weekend.
2023 was the fourth warmest summer in France
The summer of 2023, for which the months of June, July and August are evaluated, was the fourth warmest in France since measurements began. The three even hotter summers were 2003, 2018 and 2022. This year, new highs were reached in many places in France, especially in the second half of August, around 43.2 degrees in Carcassonne in the south of France.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
