NewsletterJuly 2005

Heat Wave

So far this summer feels like a repeat of 2003, when a heat wave swept through France and Europe. As I write this, the temperature outside is in the 90’s and it’s been that way for over a week. The summer wasn’t a day old before a number of departments in France started to restrict water use. Farmers began worrying that the heat wave and drought of 2003 would be replayed.
Most of the countryside in Burgundy is starting to go from green to brown, caused by little rain the last few weeks. About the only rain is in the form of thundershowers. Most of the rain will not soak into the ground but runs off to the nearest lake or river.
Another symptom of the heat is increased pollution. Over the last few days speed limits were reduced by 20 kph in a number of departments, including the Haute-Savoie, where I live and the Rhône where I work a few days a week.
To see photos of an example of pasture in a normal year and in 2003 click here - France Drought 2003.

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