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 exceptionally early spring heat wave has shattered temperature records across Western Europe, with London reaching above 35°C (95°F). The extreme heat has been linked to several drownings in the UK and France. Experts attribute these unprecedented weather extremes to climate change.
- London recorded a rare 'tropical night' where temperatures did not fall below 20°C (68°F)
- France experienced temperatures reaching 36°C (97°F) due to a 'heat dome'
- At least four teenagers died in apparent drownings in UK lakes and reservoirs
- French government reported at least seven deaths potentially related to high temperatures
- Experts link the heat wave to climate change, stating such events are becoming more likely and severe
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.
The early heat wave has struck before the annual summer window when lifeguards watch over bathers at popular beaches, increasing risks. In France's Atlantic seaboard, officials reported a rash of emergencies in the surf, with two drowning deaths on Sunday at popular resorts in the Gironde region in the southwest. The unseasonable heat extended to Spain, where weather service spokesperson Rubén del Campo noted temperatures typically seen in mid-summer now occurring in May.
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