An exceptionally early spring heat wave has shattered temperature records across Western Europe, triggering government warnings about risks to life. According to multiple reports, temperatures soared above 35°C (95°F) in London on Tuesday, breaking a century-old record for the second time in 24 hours.
Key Takeaways
An early spring heat wave has shattered temperature records across Western Europe, leading to several deaths due to drowning as people attempted to cool down. Temperatures soared above 35°C (95°F) in London, breaking century-old records and triggering health warnings.
- London recorded its hottest May bank holiday ever at 35.1°C (95.2°F).
- France experienced temperatures up to 36°C (97°F), with a heat dome trapping warm air.
- At least four teenagers died in the UK and seven in France due to drowning incidents.
- Experts attribute the extreme weather to climate change, warning of more severe events in the future.
The Met Office weather service recorded a temperature of 35.1°C (95.2°F) at London's Kew Gardens, surpassing the previous day's record of 34.8°C (94.6°F). This provisional reading also smashed the long-standing record of 32.8°C (91.4°F) set in 1922 and matched in 1944. London experienced a rare "tropical night," where temperatures did not fall below 20°C (68°F).
France also saw record-breaking temperatures, with the southwest reaching 36°C (97°F) on Monday. The national weather service, Météo-France, attributed the extreme heat to a "heat dome," where high-pressure weather fronts trap warm air, producing temperatures more than 10 degrees Celsius above what is usual for this time of year.
The heat wave has been linked to several deaths due to drowning as people attempted to cool down. At least four teenagers died in apparent drownings in UK lakes and reservoirs, and a 60-year-old man drowned in the sea in southwest England. French government spokesperson Maud Bregeon reported at least seven deaths potentially related to high temperatures, including five drownings and two deaths in sports competitions.
Experts have attributed the unprecedented weather extremes to climate change. Peter Thorne, director of the ICARUS Climate Research Centre at Maynooth University in Ireland, stated that such heat wave events are becoming more likely and severe due to emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases. The UK Health Security Agency issued an amber health alert for large parts of the country through Thursday, warning of potential health risks, particularly among older people.
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