The heat wave is back this week and it will last. All over France, meteorologists are sounding the alarm: after very high temperatures in June, a new heat wave is beginning to sweep over the country.

Météo France has placed 13 departments on yellow alert from Monday July 11: Gard, Hérault, Tarn, Haute-Garonne, Drôme, Ardèche, Landes, Gironde, Charente, Charente -Maritime, Vendée, Loire-Atlantique and Morbihan. Mercury is expected to approach the 40 degree mark again in many territories with a peak expected this weekend.

Some experts even believe that this heat wave could be even more intense than that of 2003. However, “all the uncertainties are not yet removed beyond July 16”, forecast engineer Gaétan Heymes told BFMTV.

On the road to the holidays too, it is likely to be particularly hot. This is why it is essential to be vigilant at the time of departure. In order not to be surprised by the heat wave by car, it is therefore important to choose the right time to leave – when possible, it may be appropriate to postpone your departure, recalls Road Safety on its site. Avoid riding between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.; avoid rush hour or risk getting stuck in traffic. Also think about loose and light clothing and make sure you stay hydrated throughout the journey. Multiply the breaks; the heat is tiring.

Of course, air conditioning can prove to be an indispensable ally. It is nonetheless very expensive: for 100 kilometers of road, it can generate a fuel consumption surplus of 0.4 liters. In town, some vehicles lose up to 2 liters for the same length of journey, says ADEME.