Heat Wave Breaks Records in Europe with Severe Impacts

The United Kingdom broke a century-old temperature record twice in 24 hours as a spring heat wave intensified across Western Europe. This surge in heat prompted government warnings about potential life-threatening conditions. Reports indicated multiple drownings in both Britain and France as people sought to escape the heat.

According to the Met Office, a temperature of 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) was recorded at London’s Kew Gardens and Heathrow Airport, surpassing the previous day’s record of 34.8 Celsius (94.6 Fahrenheit) at Kew. These figures far exceeded the long-standing record of 32.8 Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit) set in 1922 and matched in 1944. Amid these circumstances, the city experienced a rare “tropical night,” where temperatures remained above 20 Celsius (68 Fahrenheit).

In France, similar temperature records were shattered with readings of 36 Celsius (97 Fahrenheit) in the southwest, while nighttime temperatures consistently stayed above 20 Celsius. Météo-France identified a “heat dome,” caused by a high-pressure weather front, as the source of these unusually high temperatures, which were more than 10 degrees Celsius above the norm for this time of year.

The frequency of unpredictable and extreme weather events is increasing as global warming advances. Climate experts attribute such unprecedented and hazardous weather extremes, often occurring in atypical periods and locales, to climate change caused by heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions. Peter Thorne, director of the ICARUS Climate Research Centre at Maynooth University in Ireland, emphasized the significant contribution of climate change to the intensity and likelihood of these heat waves.

During a recent U.K. bank holiday, crowds gathered at beaches, pools, and parks to escape the heat. Commuters in London endured sweltering conditions in non-air-conditioned subway cars. Services to and from Waterloo station faced disruptions due to reports of smoke on the tracks.

In Scotland, firefighters worked overnight to control a grass fire at Arthur’s Seat, an iconic hill overlooking Edinburgh. The U.K. Health Security Agency issued an amber alert through Thursday, warning of health risks during peak heat periods, especially for older individuals. The country’s typical moderate climate means many homes, schools, and businesses lack air conditioning.

Authorities reported at least three teenage drownings in U.K. lakes and reservoirs. In southwest England, a 60-year-old man drowned in the sea. In France, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon reported at least seven deaths potentially linked to the heat, including five drownings and two deaths during sports events. The early heat wave hit before the arrival of lifeguards at beaches, raising risks.

On France’s Atlantic coast, renowned for strong riptides, officials noted numerous emergencies, including two drownings at resorts in the Gironde region. Regional administrator Sophie Brocas urged beachgoers to exercise caution.

The heat also reached Spain, with temperatures typically seen in mid-summer now occurring in May. Seville registered 38 Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) over the weekend, with the Iberian Peninsula experiencing temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius above normal.

Rome’s temperatures were expected to approach 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday.

Associated Press writers John Leicester in Paris and Joseph Wilson in Barcelona, Spain, contributed to this report.