Grape-pickers were out in French vineyards Tuesday bringing in this year's harvest in "torrid" conditions as temperatures shot past 40C in some areas of the country during a "heat dome" weather pattern that has brought misery to millions.
In Saint-Quentin-de-Baron in the Bordeaux region of southwest France, local winemakers have adapted the picking routines to take into account some of the hottest temperatures on record for this time of year.
Sebastien Jacquey, director of the Chateau de Sours, told AFP that shifts had been reduced to six hours a day, instead of eight, and that teams were starting at 7 am to avoid the suffocating heat and humidity of the wind-free afternoons.
Teams armed with secateurs and boxes were reminded of safety routines as they headed out Tuesday to the neat rows of vines, which are owned by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma.
"Remember to take a break at the end of a line, keep yourself hydrated, protect yourself with hats and sun cream, but also let someone know if you don't feel well," Jacquey said.
Despite the guidelines and drinking regularly, Aurore Bernard, a 35-year-old picker doing her first harvest with her mother, said she had fallen ill on Monday.
"I felt my heart start to beat rapidly, I felt dizzy, heard noises and felt very, very cold," she told AFP.
Fellow worker Anthony Chappel, 42, said the key was using the shade of the vines to work in.
"The more suffocating it is, the more you get hot and the more dangerous it is," he said as he headed out with the forecast for a peak of 34C in the afternoon.
"I don't think there'll be any wind today. It'll be torrid."
- 'Intense' heatwave -
French authorities have placed roughly half of the 96 departments on the mainland on the second-highest heat warning level, with four areas around the southern Rhone valley placed in the maximum red category.
Temperatures are expected to peak there at 40-42C on Tuesday (104-107F).
The country as a whole experienced its hottest day ever recorded after August 15 on Monday when the national average was clocked at 26.63C, according to the national weather service Meteo France.
It has called the current heatwave "intense and long-lasting" and "particularly late in the season", with a period of stable high pressure creating a "heat dome" over the country with little wind.
In the sweltering southeastern city of Lyon, 26-year-old PR worker Emma Solet told AFP it was 29C in her apartment at 6:30 am and she had bought herself an air-conditioner for the first time.
"It's not good for the planet, I know, and it actually didn't work," she explained. "I took it back to the shop. The heat is in the walls."
The heatwave is also affecting the normally cool Alps where mountaineers preparing to tackle Mont Blanc have been urged by local authorities to delay scaling the summit of western Europe's highest mountain.
Officials in the Haute-Savoie region, which includes the French side of Mont Blanc, said there were higher-than-usual risks of rockfalls on the regular routes up the mountain, as well as new crevices opening up on its glaciers.
Swiss weather authorities said Monday that a new record had been set for the altitude of the so-called zero-degree line in the Alps -- the height at which the temperature dips below zero degrees Celsius.
It was clocked overnight from Sunday to Monday at 5,298 metres, "which constitutes a record since mon
itoring began in 1954", MeteoSwiss said.
- 'Not such a bad thing' -
For the wine harvest in France, the heatwave could bring some cheer to vintners, if not their workers.
The Bordeaux region has been badly hit by mildew this year and the burst of heat at the end of ripening process could be positive.
"It stops rot and dries out any illnesses, so it's not such a bad thing," said Stephane Gabard, head of the Bordeaux et Bordeaux Superieur winemakers' group.
The timing of grape harvesting varies around the country depending on the type of grapes, local weather conditions and the flavours and alcohol content desired by the wine maker, with southern vineyards usually kicking off the season in August.
The start of the picking season, which generally ends in October, has been advancing year-on-year due to climate change.
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Alibaba
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Analysis Summary:
This article provides an in-depth look at the implications of the current “heat dome” weather pattern in France on the grape-picking industry. Local winemakers have adapted their picking routines to take into account the extreme temperatures, emphasizing the importance of safety protocols and hydration. Despite the warnings, some workers have fallen ill due to the high temperatures, highlighting the dangers of working in such conditions. French authorities have placed roughly half of the 96 departments on the mainland on the second highest heat warning level, emphasizing the intensity of the heatwave.
Defense Industry Analyst: 4/10. This article does not provide any insight into the defense industry and does not have any implications for the sector.
Stock Market Analyst: 6/10. This article provides some insight into the potential impacts of the current heatwave on the agricultural industry and the economy in France more broadly. While the article does not directly discuss the stock market, it does provide an indication of the potential impacts on the economy and could be used as part of a larger analysis to inform decisions related to the stock market.
General Industry Analyst: 8/10. This article provides an in-depth look at the implications of the current heatwave on one specific industry (grape-picking), as well as highlighting the steps taken by French authorities to mitigate the effects of the extreme temperatures. The article also discusses the potential health implications of working in such conditions and provides insight into the potential impacts on the economy.
Over the past 25 years, there has been an increased focus on climate change and its impacts on the environment and industry. This article is reflective of this trend, as it provides an in-depth look at the impacts of extreme weather on one specific industry in France. The article also highlights the importance of adaptation and safety protocols when faced with extreme weather conditions.
Investigative
Question:
- 1. How have other industries been affected by the current heatwave in France?
- 2. What additional safety protocols can be implemented to protect workers in similar conditions?
- 3.
What other strategies can be introduced to reduce the impacts of extreme weather? 4. What other countries have experienced extreme weather conditions this year, and what have been the impacts on industry?
5. How has the French economy been impacted by the current heatwave?
This AI report is generated by a sophisticated prompt to a ChatGPT API. Our editors clean text for presentation, but preserve AI thought for our collective observation. Please comment and ask questions about AI use by Spacedaily. We appreciate your support and contribution to better trade news.
