End of the 2014 Heat Wave and Health Alert System

Established in the summer of 2004, the Heat Wave and Health Alert System is operated by the InVS and Météo-France and runs annually from June 1 to August 31. Integrated into the National Heat Wave Plan, it relies on daily monitoring of meteorological and health indicators (based on visits to hospital emergency departments and calls to SOS Médecins).

This summer, temperature trends were highly variable:

• In June, compared to an average calculated over the 1981–2010 period in metropolitan France, average temperatures were generally well above normal. The monthly average temperature was 1.3°C above normal, placing June 2014 as the 5th warmest June on record for the 1900–2014 period,

• In July, conditions varied between the north and south of the country. South of a line running from Bordeaux to Strasbourg, and especially in the southeastern quarter, average temperatures were below normal,

• In August, average temperatures were 1.5°C below normal.

Throughout the summer period, no department was placed under an orange heat wave alert by Météo-France.

Two brief periods of intense heat were observed:

• the first on June 8 and 9, during which Météo-France placed seven departments under a yellow heatwave alert in Rhône-Alpes, Franche-Comté, and Alsace,

• the second between July 16 and 19, during which Météo-France placed up to 36 departments under a yellow heatwave alert from the southwest to Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine.

These episodes had a moderate impact on morbidity indicators directly linked to heat (hyperthermia/heatstroke, dehydration, and hyponatremia).

Weekly regional epidemiological reports are also available in the "Regions and Territories" section.

Behavioral and prevention recommendations for heat waves or extreme heat from the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (INPES) are available on the following website: http://www.inpes.sante.fr/10000/themes/evenement_climatique/canicule/canicule-agir.asp