Dozens of departments across France have initiated ‘Grand Froid’ plans, as cold overnight temperatures remain in place.
These are plans put in place by prefectures aimed at protecting vulnerable populations during colder periods.
They are similar to summer heatwave plans, although the cold weather plans focus more on homeless individuals than elderly residents.
In both cases however, experts warn that the impact of extreme weather can affect everybody, and in cold weather urge people to be aware of the risks of hypothermia and other illnesses.
Similar to heatwave plans, temperatures must reach – or be forecast to reach – certain thresholds for at least two days before the system comes into place, with local authorities deciding when to enact plans.
State forecaster Météo France informs local authorities of expected conditions for the coming days, allowing them to make their decisions.
Somewhat confusingly, Météo France issues its own ‘Grand froid’ warnings for departments facing cold weather.
These are different to the departmental plans of the same name, and are based on cold conditions for the given day.
They often coincide with departments who have issued ‘Grand Froid’ plans, but this is not always the case – for example, Paris and the Île-de-France region has issued ‘Grand Froid’ plans to protect vulnerable residents but is not facing a Météo France weather alert for cold conditions.
Improved resources for homeless people
The system has been in place since 2008.
There are three levels of severity, based on both day and night-time temperatures.
The plans aim to improve awareness of the cold weather and associated services to help people, and improve resources to help shelter vulnerable people such as the homeless.
For the former, information campaigns about the risk of cold weather are launched. For the latter a number of measures such as mobilisation of law enforcement to find homeless people and the opening of overnight accommodation are put in place.
Additional resources are also made to support the ‘115’ emergency number, for aiding homeless people in France.
