Extreme Heat Waves Impacting Europe: Record Temperatures and Associated Risks

Millions of people across Europe faced extreme high temperatures on Tuesday, with France experiencing 40 drowning fatalities as residents sought relief from the intense heat. The weather will remain hot around the clock, affecting France the most. Meteo France, the national weather service, put 54 departments, half the country, under a red heat wave alert.

Italy, Spain, and Britain also experienced severe heat conditions. Human-induced climate change contributes to increasingly extreme weather patterns. The UN climate agency projects more heat records over the next five years.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu noted that the drowning victims since last Thursday were primarily young people. The Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum in Paris have adjusted their operations due to the heat, closing earlier than usual. With limited air conditioning, the country faces challenges in schools, public transport, and sporting events.

Temperatures are expected to remain above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in many areas until the week’s end. Record-breaking temperatures may surpass all previous records, according to Meteo France.

In Rome, tourists were seen using umbrellas for shade while visiting the Spanish Steps. This heat wave is unusually intense and early. Comparisons have been made to the August 2003 heat wave, which resulted in 15,000 deaths due to a lack of air conditioning.

Europe is warming faster than the global average, with temperatures increasing twice as fast since the 1980s. According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, over 200,000 heat-related deaths occurred in the past four years, many preventable.

The heat wave extended to Britain and disrupted schools and train services. The UK’s Met Office issued a red extreme heat warning, predicting record-breaking temperatures. The hottest days are expected on Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures potentially reaching 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 F). Conditions should ease by Friday.

Spain’s weather service, Aemet, issued red alerts for southern Andalusia, with forecasts of 44 degrees Celsius (111 F). Northern regions like Cantabria and Basque Country faced unusually high temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (104 F). Meteorologist Rubén del Campo emphasized the ongoing increase in temperature due to climate change, with more frequent and prolonged heat waves occurring before the typical July and August period.

Climate change is influencing both atmospheric and sea temperatures, according to del Campo. The Copernicus EU monitoring agency reported 2024 as the hottest year on record, with Europe experiencing significant “heat stress” days. Scientists warn that climate change increases heat and dryness, putting Southeastern Europe at risk for health impacts and wildfires.

Associated Press journalists Sylvia Hui and Joseph Wilson contributed to this report.

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