Key Points

• As of 4:00 p.m. on June 20, 2017, 66 departments were under an orange alert and 17 under a yellow alert. The previous day, on June 19, 2017, at 4 p.m., 51 departments were under an orange alert and 25 under a yellow alert. With the exception of the PACA region and Corsica, every region has at least one department under an orange alert.

• This heat wave stands out clearly for its extent, and especially for its intensity and early onset, making it a dangerous event, particularly since the population is not yet acclimated to the heat at this time of year.

• In most regions, minimum and maximum temperatures are more than 10°C above the expected values for this time of year.

• This is a global heatwave, with heatwave alerts in Portugal and Spain, the United States, North Africa, and the Middle East (data from the World Meteorological Organization).

• There is an upward trend in medical consultations for heat-related illnesses in both regions, particularly among children under 15 and people aged 75 or older.

• It is important to remember not to engage in physical activity and not to go outside during the hottest hours of the day.