An early-summer heatwave is sweeping across Western Europe, bringing record-high temperatures to countries such as France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. This unusual weather pattern has seen more than 350 municipalities in France, predominantly in the west, experiencing their hottest May temperatures ever recorded. Landes, in the southwest, marked the highest temperature at 37.1°C.
The United Kingdom also witnessed a historic high for May, with temperatures reaching 34.8°C at Kew Gardens in London. Meteorologists have noted that temperatures across parts of Europe are running 12°C to 13°C above the typical seasonal averages. The oppressive heat is expected to persist for several more days, with some regions in Spain potentially seeing temperatures rise to 40°C as the week progresses.
The French meteorological service attributes the extreme heat conditions to a phenomenon known as a heat dome, where hot air from Morocco becomes trapped beneath a strong high-pressure system. Officials have indicated that the frequency and intensity of such events are increasing due to climate change. As a result, 31 French departments have been placed on high-temperature alerts, with some areas under the second-highest warning tier. Notably, this marks the first instance of France’s national heat warning system being activated in May since it was established in 2004.
In France, temperatures soared above 35°C in numerous towns, with Paris nearing 33°C. The extreme conditions have already led to a fatality during a 10-kilometre race near Paris, as a participant reportedly succumbed to a heart attack induced by the heat. Several others have been hospitalized in critical condition. Meanwhile, Spain has already experienced temperatures of 38°C in its southern regions, with forecasts predicting further increases. Meteorologists caution that many areas could endure “tropical nights,” where temperatures do not drop below 20°C even after dark.
Experts emphasize that the occurrence of heatwaves in Europe is not only becoming more frequent but is also appearing earlier in the year, a trend they attribute to the ongoing effects of climate change. As these extreme weather events become more common, the challenge of adapting to and mitigating their impacts becomes increasingly pressing.