Western Europe Braces for More Extreme Heat as Temperatures Continue to Climb
A severe heatwave is gripping Western Europe, with temperatures expected to rise further and potentially break more records. France has been hit hard, forcing school schedule changes, while other nations issue warnings.
Much of Western Europe was sweltering in a gruelling heatwave on Friday, with forecasters warning that temperatures will continue to rise in the coming days, likely shattering more records. France has been particularly affected, with hundreds of schools adjusting their timetables to cope. Meteorologists described the heatwave as "intense and long-lasting," and Paris could see temperatures exceed 40°C for the first time in June.
In Germany, authorities warned of thunderstorms, hail, and heavy rain over the weekend in some areas. The UK's Met Office confirmed that England and Wales experienced their hottest spring on record, although temperatures there are not expected to be as extreme as in continental Europe. The Met Office also said there is a 40% chance of beating the June temperature record set in 1976. Spain's civil protection agency has warned of prolonged extreme heat affecting most of the country and the Balearic Islands from Sunday through much of next week.
The Swiss town of Schaffhouse recorded its hottest June temperature ever on Friday at 35.7°C, with further rises expected, putting other records at risk. Scientists say human-driven climate change is amplifying such extremes, making heatwaves, droughts, and floods more intense and frequent. This is already the second heatwave of the year for many in the region.
France, at the heart of the current surge, experienced its hottest spring since records began in 1900. Paris residents shared tips for coping with the heat, such as avoiding buses and staying hydrated by eating fruits. One man who moved into a cave dwelling in the village of Troo during the pandemic praised its stable year-round temperature as a stroke of luck amid climate change.
