Western Europe is grappling with an unusual early-summer heatwave, with France, Spain, and the United Kingdom experiencing record-breaking temperatures for the month of May. In France, over 350 towns have reported the highest May temperatures ever recorded, particularly in the western regions. The peak temperature reached 37.1°C in the Landes area of the southwest. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom set a new national record for May when the temperature hit 34.8°C at Kew Gardens in London.
According to meteorologists, temperatures across various parts of Europe are currently soaring 12°C to 13°C above the seasonal norms. This heatwave is expected to persist for several more days, with some regions in Spain potentially seeing temperatures climb to 40°C as the week progresses. The extreme conditions in France are attributed to a heat dome, a phenomenon where hot air from Morocco is trapped under a strong high-pressure system. Authorities have cautioned that such weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to the impacts of climate change.
In France, 31 departments are under high-temperature alerts, with several areas facing the second-highest warning level. This marks the first time France’s national heat warning system has been activated in May since it was established in 2004. Temperatures have exceeded 35°C in several towns, while Paris has seen temperatures approach 33°C. The severe heat has already resulted in a fatality during a 10-kilometre race near Paris, where a participant is believed to have suffered a heart attack. In addition, several others participating in the race were hospitalized in critical condition.
Southern Spain has already recorded temperatures as high as 38°C, with expectations for even higher temperatures in the coming days. Meteorologists have issued warnings about the possibility of “tropical nights” in many regions, where nighttime temperatures remain above 20°C. Experts emphasize that heatwaves in Europe are occurring earlier in the year and are increasingly common, a trend they attribute to long-term climate change.