Behaviour to adopt

If it gets especially hot, the orange warning level (great heat warning) is announced when the temperatures rise to between 33°C and 35°C with an average temperature of 23°C.

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• close blinds, curtains and windows during the day and open them at night;
• drink lots of water throughout the day (1.5 l water per day);
• avoid going outside during the hottest time of day (11 am to 9 pm);
• cover your head when going out;
• wear light clothing;
• limit physical activity;
• maintain contact with vulnerable members of your family and friends. Help them get to a cool place;

For more information, consult the website www.sante.public.lu.

Yes. Since winter 2001/2002, the government has been organising the 'Wanteraktioun' (winter campaign), with the aim of preventing homeless people dying from hypothermia during periods of extremely low temperatures.

Coordinated by the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region,  the Wanteraktioun provides for the basic needs of homeless people (overnight accommodation, meals and bodily hygiene) and contributes to the normal package of services and measures put in place for the homeless.

This winter campaign normally starts on 1st December and ends on 31 March.

In the event of gusts of wind, the level orange alert violent wind warning is decreed if violent winds reach between 90 km/h and 100 km/h.

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• limit your journeys;
• limit your speed on the road, especially if the vehicle or trailer you are driving may be affected by the wind;
• do not go walking in wooded areas;
• in towns, be careful of falling objects;
• tidy away or fix down any objects liable to be blown around or damaged, for example garden furniture, parasols, etc.;
• on no account go onto a roof.

In the event of snow or freezing precipitation, the orange warning level moderate snow or ice warnin is announced when there is

• between 5 and 15 cm of snowfall within 12 hours
• or moderate ice below 1 l/m² within 12 hours

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• be especially careful when travelling;
• use public transport;
• keep yourself informed on traffic conditions by consulting the website www.cita.lu;
• follow any traffic restrictions and diversions closely;
• facilitate the work of road and motorway clearing vehicles by parking your vehicle off-road;
• be careful of falling objects;
• clear snow and salt the pavements in front of your house and avoid blocking water drains.

In the event of a storm, the orange warning level (severe storm warning) is announced when

• there are violent winds between 90 and 110 km/h
• or there is heavy rainfall between 25 and 35 l/h or hail between 1 and 3 cm.

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• when a storm is on its way, you should place objects likely to be blown around by the wind (garden furniture, parasols, etc.) under shelter;
• do not take shelter under trees, especially one that is isolated;
• if you are in an exposed place, squat down as low as possible with your feet together, your head between your folded arms and pressed against your knees;
• do not walk in the forest;
• avoid using a landline phone or electronic devices;
• inform the authorities if you witness any fires starting.

If it becomes particularly cold, the orange warning level (great cold warning) is announced when temperatures fall to between -11°C et -15°C.

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• do not remain exposed to the cold and wind for too long;
• dress warmly in several layers with a wind-proof and waterproof outer layer and protect your head and hands;
• take off any wet clothes;
• drink hot drinks;
• avoid alcoholic drinks;
• air out your home for several minutes, even in winter;
• maintain contact with vulnerable members of your family and friends.

In the event of rain, the level orange alert (heavy rain warning) is announced if the heavy rain is

• between 31-45 l/m² within 6 hrs
• between 41-60 l/m² within 12 hrs
• or between 51-80 l/m² within 24 hrs.

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• follow the weather forecast on www.meteolux.lu;
• consult the danger maps for heavy rain on maps.geoportail.lu, in order to evaluate if your location may be affected; 
• keep up to date with the situation on the roads before travelling;
• charge your phone and power bank in case of a power break down;
• follow any diversions in place;
• be careful of aquaplaning;
• avoid river banks and flooded roads and comply with road closures.
• In zones that are liable to flooding
• start in the lowest rooms, then go up: secure any belongings that may be damaged and keep an eye on the water levels;
• ensure that surface water drains are not blocked. Check the non-return valve;
• remove any substances that might be harmful to the environment from areas likely to be under water;
•  
• turn off the electricity supply to all the rooms in the house that might get flooded;
• turn off your heating, and turn off the gas or heating oil supply. Make sure that your heating oil tank is properly secure;
• before traveling, check for difficult road traffic conditions;
• follow any diversions in place.

In the event of gusts of wind, the level red alert (very violent gale warning) is announced when very strong winds reach above 110 km/h.

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• if possible, remain at home;
• if you need to travel, limit yourself to what is strictly necessary and avoid wooded areas;
• tell someone that you are going out and your destination;
• tidy away or fix down any objects liable to be blown around or damaged, for example garden furniture, parasols, etc.;
• on no account go onto a roof;
• phone 112 immediately if someone is injured;
• phone 112 concerning objects on public roads only if they constitute a serious obstruction (trees, branches, roofing debris).

In the event of snow or freezing precipitation, the red warning level (heavy snow or ice warning) is announced when there is

• a large amount of snow (over 15 cm within 12 hours)
• or severe ice (over 1 l/m2 within 12 hours).

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• if possible, remain at home;
• only make essential journeys;
• listen to local radio stations if you need to go out;
• keep yourself informed on the state of the roads by consulting www.cita.lu;
• tell someone if you are going out and your destination;
• prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle in case you have to wait on the road (chains, shovel, blankets, provisions, etc.);
• follow any traffic diversions and advice closely;
• be careful of falling objects;
• clear snow and salt the pavements in front of your house and avoid blocking water drains;

In the event of freezing precipitation:                                

• protect your water pipes from freezing;
• prepare emergency lighting and keep a supply of drinking water.

In the event of a storm, the red alert level (violent storm warning) is announced if

• there are gusts of wind exceeding 110 km/h
• or rainfall is greater than 35 l/h
• or there is hail larger than 3 cm

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• avoid unnecessary travel;
• if you need to travel, make your way to a safe place quickly and stay there;
• avoid using a landline phone or electronic devices;
• tidy away or fix down objects likely to be affected by the wind, without placing yourself in danger;
• avoid outside activities (in particular on flat ground or near trees, masts, antennae, electricity pylons and metallic objects);
• take refuge, until the all-clear announcement is made, in a more sheltered place or, if that is not possible, in your car;
• safeguard your possessions from the rising water if in a zone liable to be affected by rising water levels;
• inform the authorities if you witness any fires starting.

If it is especially hot, the red warning level (extreme heat warning) is announced when temperatures rise above 36°C with an average temperature of 23°C.

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• close blinds, curtains and windows during the day and open them at night;
• drink lots of water throughout the day (1.5 l water per day);
• avoid going outside during the hottest time of day (11 am to 9 pm);
• cover your head when going out;
• wear light clothing;
• limit physical activity;
• use fans or air conditioning to cool yourself down;
• try to stay in a cool or air-conditioned place (large shops, cinemas, etc.);
• cool down with water several times a day (mister, shower, etc.);
• maintain regular contact with vulnerable members of your family and friends. Help them get to a cool place.

For more information, consult the website www.sante.public.lu.

In the event that it is especially cold, the red warning level extreme cold warning is announced when temperatures fall below -15°C.

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• keep active but avoid going out in the evening, at night and early in the morning;
• protect yourself from cold air currents and severe temperature shocks;
• dress warmly in several layers with a wind-proof and waterproof outer layer and protect your head and hands;
• take off any wet clothes;
• drink hot drinks;
• avoid alcoholic drinks;
• air out your home for several minutes, even in winter;
• keep an emergency kit in your vehicle in case you have to stop on the road (hot drinks, blankets, a fully-charged mobile phone, etc.)and keep yourself informed on the state of the roads by consulting www.cita.lu;
• maintain regular contact with vulnerable members of your family and friends.

In the event of rain, the level red alert (torrential rain warning is announced if the rain is torrential

• over 45 l/m² within 6 hrs
• or over 60 l/m² within 12 hrs
• or over 80 l/m² within 24 hrs

The population should adopt the following conduct:

• make sure that the orange vigilance level recommendations are followed;
• if possible, remain at home;
• avoid unnecessary travel in the areas affected;
• if you need to travel, be especially careful. Tell someone you are going out, and where you are going;
• follow any diversions in place;
• avoid river banks and flooded roads and comply with road closures
• never go down a road that is under water;
• if the electricity is cut off, use battery-operated devices such as your mobile phone, a battery-operated radio or the car radio;
• in flood zones, and even in areas that are rarely flooded, take all the necessary precautions to safeguard your possessions in case the water level rises;
• prepare emergency lighting and keep a supply of drinking water;
• stay calm and composed. Saving human lives takes priority over protecting material goods;
• facilitate the work of the emergency services carrying out any evacuation and follow their advice;do not take any journeys by boat unless you have taken sufficient safety measures.

Yes. In winter, weather conditions can cause the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth to cancel lessons at public fundamental and secondary schools, including special education schools, on the day in question.

This decision is taken the evening before or early in the morning, following consultation with the Grand Ducal Police on the road and weather conditions. The population will be informed via the media, in particular via local radio. If this measure is taken, school transport will also be cancelled.

Schools must remain open with reception and care everywhere in place as school staff have a 'best endeavours obligation' to be at their workplace and perform their role as usual (they are therefore not permitted to automatically stay at home).

No. In winter, weather conditions can cause the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth to cancel lessons at public fundamental and secondary schools, including special education schools, on the day in question.

Schools must remain open with reception and care everywhere in place as school staff have a 'best endeavours obligation' to be at their workplace and perform their role as usual (they are therefore not permitted to automatically stay at home).

Yes. In the event of force majeure or extreme weather conditions, the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth may decide to cancel school transport.

This decision is taken following consultation with the police, preferably the evening before or very early in the morning. The population will be informed via the media. If this measure is taken, school lessons will also be cancelled.

The wider public will be informed of the changing situation by the government and via the websites www.infocrise.lu and www.meteolux.lu.

Specific information will be provided for people who are deaf or hard of hearing via the M-Plify system.

The wider public will be informed of the changing situation by the government and via the websites www.infocrise.lu and www.meteolux.lu.