40C warning in new heatwave alert

METEO France has extended its orange heatwave alert to cover three more departments - and warned temperatures today could hit 40C. An ozone alert is also in place.

The orange alert covers Rhône, Drôme, Ardèche and Vaucluse and has been extended to include Haute-Garonne, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne. These areas face daytime temperatures between 36C and 39C - and perhaps 40C - with night-time temperatures of 20C-22C.

Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far, with the thermometer hitting 38C in the Rhône valley.

People in affected areas have been advised to keep the house cool by closing windows and shutters during the day, avoid going out or doing physical exercise during the hottest parts of the day, drink water regularly and moisten the skin; also keep an eye on neighbours.

Other departments have been put on yellow alert. They are: Landes, Gers, Lot-et-Garonne, Dordogne, Lot, Allier, Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Hérault, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Alpes-Maritimes, Aude, Gard, Saône-et-Loire, Ain, Jura, Isère, Loire and Puy-de-Dôme

The situation should ease overnight on Thursday-Friday when thunderstorms are due to pass across the south of the country.

High temperatures, strong sun and air pollution have sparked an ozone alert in the Paris region, the centre and the south-east.

Drivers in Ile-de-France, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret, Bouches-du-Rhône, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Vaucluse and Gard have been warned to cut their speeds by 30kph. Factories have also been warned to cut emissions.

Ozone pollution irritates eyes and damages lung function. It can be particularly bad for the under-15s and older people.

Check the Météo France heatwave map here: