Météo-France offers new and more accurate vigilance maps within the departments

Until now, only one level of vigilance has been assigned to an entire department. Weather-France now distinguishes the sectors where the risks are greatest. For example, during a storm, coastal municipalities may be placed at a higher level of vigilance than the rest of the department if they are exposed to strong winds.

This new feature allows:

• better identify risk areas;
• adopt the right preventive behaviors;
• to target the actions of emergency authorities and services.

If red, orange or yellow alertness is occurring, an insert of the same color above the weather map allows you to view the maps by phenomenon. You can also choose your department from the drop-down list to the right of the map or click directly on the map. A brief summary of the situation is displayed (example: department of Drôme).

Departmental vigilance remains the same. The main board displays the highest hazard level for the entire department. The more detailed information is available on the maps dedicated to each weather phenomenon.

You can generate a PDF document from the Vigilance.

How to read maps by phenomenon?

Detailed maps are not displayed by default on the national vigilance map. To identify the sectors concerned by a particular meteorological phenomenon, it is necessary to select one of the thematic maps proposed by Météo-France.

Each map corresponds to a specific phenomenon:

• Wind : risks associated with high winds and storms
• Rain-flood : heavy rainfall that may lead to runoff or flooding;
• Thunderstorms : thunderstorms that may be accompanied by heavy rain, hail or gusts of wind;
• Snow and ice : snow events or ice formation that can disrupt travel.

Once the phenomenon is selected, the exposed areas appear directly on the map. The sectors most concerned may then have a different level of vigilance from the rest of the department.

What are the levels of vigilance?

As for departmental weather vigilance, detailed maps use four levels of vigilance:

• Green : no particular vigilance;
• Yellow : a phenomenon that is common in the region but requires special attention due to sensitive or localized activities;
• Orange : expected hazardous phenomenon; it is recommended to follow the safety instructions issued by the authorities;
• Red : exceptional and very dangerous weather phenomenon; absolute vigilance is necessary.

These levels allow a rapid assessment of the risk intensity in each sector concerned and the adaptation of its behavior accordingly.