Météo-France extended the orange heatwave alert for six departments on Saturday: Hérault, Gard, Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud.
On Friday, Moulès-et-Baucels, in Hérault, reached 40.3C with other areas only slightly cooler. Villevieille, in Gard saw temperatures of 39.3C with peaks of 39C in Figari, in Corsica.
“On Saturday, temperatures are starting to drop near the Mediterranean and in Corsica”, the forecaster said, noting that highs could still exceed 36C in Var or Corsica.
@VigiMeteofrance 03 août
Pour samedi 03 août 2024 :
🔶 7 départements en Vigilance orangePour dimanche 04 août 2024 :
🔶 4 départements en Vigilance orangeRestez prudents et informés :https://t.co/JGz4rTUvHP pic.twitter.com/K8EWWgTN5B
— VigiMétéoFrance (@VigiMeteoFrance) August 3, 2024
However, temperatures should approach “seasonal norms” on Sunday, according to the forecaster.
Meanwhile, in Seine-et-Marne, there is still an orange flood alert due to the risk of the Grand Morion breaking its banks.
But the flood alert for Vosges and Meurthe-et-Moselle has now been lifted.
What about the Olympics?
Saturday’s planned mixed relay triathlon training was cancelled on Friday due to storms upstream of the Seine, the organisers and the International Triathlon Federation announced on Friday.
“Given the storms of the last two nights, particularly intense upstream of the Paris basin, and the future deterioration in water quality, the organisers have decided, in advance, to cancel the familiarisation on Saturday 3rd August”, they said in a press release on Friday evening.
Temperatures are expected to reach a maximum of 27C on Saturday, according to Météo-France.
The cycling and running sections will still go ahead.
The mixed relay event is scheduled for Monday morning with the open water swimming events in the Seine set for August 8th and 9th.
You can follow live Olympics updates here.
Heatwave advice
Everyone is at risk during a heatwave, even those in good health, Météo-France warns on its website, recommending that people working outdoors or those exercising be careful of dehydration and heat stroke.
However, the risk is greater for elderly people, those with chronic illness or mental health problems, people who regularly take medication and those who are isolated, the forecaster said.
READ ALSO ‘Don’t sleep naked’ – How to get a good night’s sleep in a French heatwave
During a heatwave, you should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, avoid going out during the hottest hours of the day (afternoon and early evening), stay in the shade, only exercise during the coolest parts of the day (early morning and late nights), and eat regular meals.
Météo-France uses a four-level level weather warning system, from green which means that there are no immediate weather concerns, to the highest alert level red, which indicates a possible danger to life.
Orange indicates that people should be “very vigilant”. Meanwhile, the moderate yellow level means people should “be attentive” to the impact of heat when playing sports or engaging in other physical activity, according to Météo France.
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