Lessons from the French heatwave

Grynszpan, Delphine

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(03)14555-2

Cited by 37 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Climate change community awareness to changes of summer heatwaves gained particular "momentum" with the catastrophic heatwave observed in the summer of 2003 in Europe. While the whole summer of 2003 was characterised by warm weather throughout Europe (Luterbacher et al, 2004;Schär et al, 2004), it was the relatively short-lived heatwave that occurred during the first fortnight of August 2003 that had a major impact in excessive mortality rates throughout western Europe, particularly in France (Grynszpan, 2004).…”

Section: R García-herrera Et Al: Extreme Summer Temperatures In Iberiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Extreme summer temperatures in Iberia: health impacts and associated synoptic conditions

García‐Herrera

Díaz²,

Trigo

et al. 2005

Ann. Geophys.

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Abstract. This paper examines the effect of extreme summer temperatures on daily mortality in two large cities of Iberia: Lisbon (Portugal) and Madrid (Spain). Daily mortality and meteorological variables are analysed using the same methodology based on Box-Jenkins models. Results reveal that in both cases there is a triggering effect on mortality when maximum daily temperature exceeds a given threshold (34 • C in Lisbon and 36 • C in Madrid). The impact of most intense heat events is very similar for both cities, with significant mortality values occurring up to 3 days after the temperature threshold has been surpassed. This impact is measured as the percentual increase of mortality associated to a 1 • C increase above the threshold temperature. In this respect, Lisbon shows a higher impact, 31%, as compared with Madrid at 21%. The difference can be attributed to demographic and socio-economic factors. Furthermore, the longer life span of Iberian women is critical to explain why, in both cities, females are more susceptible than males to heat effects, with an almost double mortality impact value.The analysis of Sea Level Pressure (SLP), 500 hPa geopotential height and temperature fields reveals that, despite being relatively close to each other, Lisbon and Madrid have relatively different synoptic circulation anomalies associated with their respective extreme summer temperature days. The SLP field reveals higher anomalies for Lisbon, but extending over a smaller area. Extreme values in Madrid seem to require a more western location of the Azores High, embracing a greater area over Europe, even if it is not as deep as for Lisbon. The origin of the hot and dry air masses that usually lead to extreme heat days in both cities is located in Northern Africa. However, while Madrid maxima require wind blowing directly from the south, transporting heat from Southern Spain and Northern Africa, Lisbon maxima occur under more easterly conditions, when Northern African air flows over the central Iberian plateau, which had been previously heated.

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Section: R García-herrera Et Al: Extreme Summer Temperatures In Iberiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Extreme summer temperatures in Iberia: health impacts and associated synoptic conditions

García‐Herrera

Díaz²,

Trigo

et al. 2005

Ann. Geophys.

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“…In Italy, only few studies addressed to this topic before summer 2003, when exceptional hot conditions occurred especially in central and northern regions, with catastrophic effects also above all over central and western Europe 6,7) . However, studies were particularly focused on mortality and morbidity related to heat waves 8,9) , while effects of hot weather conditions on other diseases and healthy subjects were rarely studied 10,11) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between Work-Related Accidents and Hot Weather Conditions in Tuscany (Central Italy)

et al. 2006

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Nowadays, no studies have been published on the relationship between meteorological conditions and work-related mortality and morbidity in Italy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hot weather conditions and hospital admissions due to work-related accidents in Tuscany (central Italy) over the period 1998-2003. Apparent temperature (AT) values were calculated to evaluate human weather discomfort due to hot conditions and then tested for work accident differences using non-parametric procedures. Present findings showed that hot weather conditions might represent a risk factor for work-related accidents in Italy during summer. In particular early warming days during June, characterized by heat discomfort, are less tolerated by workers than warming days of the following summer months. The peak of work-related accidents occurred on days characterized by high, but not extreme, thermal conditions. Workers maybe change their behaviour when heat stress increases, reducing risks by adopting preventive measures. Results suggested that days with an average daytime AT value ranged between 24.8°C and 27.5°C were at the highest risk of work-related accidents. In conclusion, present findings might represent the first step for the development of a watch/warning system for workers that might be used by employers for planning work activities.

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“…Conversely, studies performed in tropical regions reported that also hot climate may increase the incidence of MI [14][15][16]. The occurrence of heat waves was repeatedly reported to be associated with an increase in cardiovascular mortality also in temperate regions [17][18][19]. The heat wave of summer 2003 revealed that the effects of hot conditions might be particularly relevant in Europe where, differently from USA, air conditioning systems have a low diffusion including public buildings and retirement homes [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The occurrence of heat waves was repeatedly reported to be associated with an increase in cardiovascular mortality also in temperate regions [17][18][19]. The heat wave of summer 2003 revealed that the effects of hot conditions might be particularly relevant in Europe where, differently from USA, air conditioning systems have a low diffusion including public buildings and retirement homes [18]. During summer 2003, Italy was the second (after France) most affected European country [20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationships between weather and myocardial infarction: A biometeorological approach

Morabito

Modesti

Cecchi

et al. 2005

International Journal of Cardiology

103

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Objectives: To calculate threshold values of weather discomfort which increase the risk of hospital admissions for myocardial infarction in winter and summer. Background: Notwithstanding heat waves were reported to acutely increase hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases, large surveys failed to reveal any increase of event rates with increasing air temperature. However, the assessment of air temperature does not allow evaluation of the actual discomfort perception caused by the combination of different meteorological parameters. Methods: Hospital admissions for myocardial infarction for the period 1998-2002 in Florence, Italy, were considered. The percentages of variation of daily event rates according to daily mean air temperature variations were preliminary derived by using a regression analysis. An alternative biometeorological approach, considering the Apparent Temperature Index (ATI) in summer, and the New U.S./ Canada Wind Chill Temperature Index (NWCTI) in winter, which combine air temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity, was then used. Results: The traditional approach showed that daily event rates significantly increased with daily mean air temperature decrease (10 8C decrease were associated with 19% increase in daily event rates for people older than 65 years), but failed to show any negative effect caused by hot climatic conditions. Conversely the biometeorological approach allowed to show that at least 9 h per day of severe discomfort caused by hot conditions significantly increased the rate of admission ( P b 0.01). Conclusions: This approach might be useful for the development of an operative weather watch/warning system for population and for hospital professional care. D

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Lessons from the French heatwave

Cited by 37 publications

References 2 publications

Extreme summer temperatures in Iberia: health impacts and associated synoptic conditions

Extreme summer temperatures in Iberia: health impacts and associated synoptic conditions

Relationship between Work-Related Accidents and Hot Weather Conditions in Tuscany (Central Italy)

Relationships between weather and myocardial infarction: A biometeorological approach

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