In an analysis of the French episode of heat wave in 2003, this article highlights how heat wave dangers result from the intricate association of natural and social factors. Unusually high temperatures, as well as socioeconomic vulnerability, along with social attenuation of hazards, in a general context where the anthropogenic contribution to climate change is becoming more plausible, led to an excess of 14,947 deaths in France, between August 4 and 18, 2003. The greatest increase in mortality was due to causes directly attributable to heat: dehydration, hyperthermia, heat stroke. In addition to age and gender, combinatorial factors included preexisting disease, medication, urban residence, isolation, poverty, and, probably, air pollution. Although diversely impacted or reported, many parts of Europe suffered human and other losses, such as farming and forestry through drought and fires. Summer 2003 was the hottest in Europe since 1500, very likely due in part to anthropogenic climate change. The French experience confirms research establishing that heat waves are a major mortal risk, number one among so-called natural hazards in postindustrial societies. Yet France had no policy in place, as if dangerous climate were restricted to a distant or uncertain future of climate change, or to preindustrial countries. We analyze the heat wave's profile as a strongly attenuated risk in the French context, as well as the causes and the effects of its sudden shift into amplification. Research and preparedness needs are highlighted.

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Tephra: Fragments of rock, regardless of size, that become airborne during a volcanic eruption. Lapilli: Fragments of rock, between 2 and 64 mm in diameter, produced explosively during a volcanic eruption. Volcanic ash: Tephra less than 2 mm in diameter, produced explosively during a volcanic eruption. Ash (tephra) fall: Volcanic ash and lapilli dispersed by winds away from the volcano, falling out of suspension to form a deposit. Tephra falls are commonly referred to colloquially as ash falls. Hazard: Potential threat arising from the physical phenomenon. Hazard intensity: A parameter describing the severity of a hazard at a location, e.g. ash fall thickness. Exposure: Societal assets (e.g. people, property, infrastructure networks) present in hazard zones that are thereby subject to potential losses. Vulnerability: The degree to which characteristics and the circumstances of an individual, community, system, network or asset, and any interdependencies, makes it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard. Impact: Function of the hazard and vulnerability on the exposed asset. Risk: Function of both the characteristics of the hazardous event and the consequences for the exposed assets. Resilience: The ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate to and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions.

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The first in-depth hail climatology for the state of New

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