Europe endures another day of record-breaking heat, as countries warn it’s already killed hundreds
By Laura Paddison, CNN
(CNN) — Europe’s heat endurance continues as multiple countries are braced for triple digit temperatures Thursday. The United Kingdom has already broken its June temperature record for the second straight day, and other countries could see national records fall.
Swaths of Europe are baking under a heat dome, a vast area of stagnant high pressure that acts like a lid on a pot, trapping heat. Heat domes are not unusual, but are being supercharged by the human-driven climate crisis.
The town of Yeovilton, in southern England, posted a temperature of 97.5 Fahrenheit (36.4 Celsius) Thursday, breaking a national June temperature only set yesterday, according to the UK Met Office. That record may be broken again before the day is out. The previous June high was 96.08 degrees Fahrenheit (35.6 Celsius), last set 50 years ago.
France endured its hottest night ever recorded Wednesday into Thursday, weather service Météo-France announced Thursday. Nighttime heat is particularly dangerous as it gives people’s bodies no chance to recover from grueling daytime temperatures.
On Wednesday, France experienced its hottest day on record for the second straight day, with an average temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 Celsius) during a 24-hour period. Temperatures spiked above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 Celsius) in many towns and cities, including Paris.
Spain also saw national records fall this week. Monday and Tuesday were its warmest June days on record, with temperatures 12.8 degrees Fahrenheit (7.1 Celsius) above average, national weather service AEMET announced yesterday.
The heat has quickly turned deadly. Over the last four days, 212 people in Spain have died due to the heat wave, according to data from the country’s mortality monitoring system, MoMo.
At least 48 people have drowned in France seeking relief from the heat over the last week, according to a Reuters report, and three children have been found dead in hot cars. In Italy, at least five heat-related deaths have been reported, including a vineyard worker, a farmhand and a homeless man.
Potential for more record-breaking heat
Temperatures are ramping up Thursday. France will continue to be “scorching,” according to Météo-France. Red alerts cover 72 of the country’s 96 mainland regions, indicating the most severe heat warning.
Temperatures well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) are expected across the country and the country could, again, break its record for hottest day.
The UK remains under a very rare red extreme heat warning, which has been extended into Friday — marking a record three straight days of the most severe heat alert.
Belgian authorities have issued a rare heat warning and Germany is expected to reach temperatures in the high 90s Fahrenheit (high 30s Celsius) Thursday.
How long will the heat wave last?
The heat will ease toward the weekend in the UK and France, with the most significant relief coming Sunday.
However, other parts of the continent are bracing for extreme temperatures over the weekend as the heat slowly moves eastward.
The peak of the heat wave will be centered over Germany Saturday with many cities throughout the country expected to reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). Poland, Hungry and Croatia are among other countries bracing for extreme conditions.
Temperature anomalies will slowly decrease over Eastern Europe, but much of next week will remain 9 to 18 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 10 Celsius) above average.
Taylor Ward, Barbie Latza Nadeau, Joseph Ataman and Andrew Freedman contributed reporting.
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