Western Europe is experiencing an unusual spring heatwave driven by a heat dome of warm air from northern Africa trapped under a high-pressure system. The United Kingdom has smashed a century-old May temperature record for two consecutive days, with thermometers reaching 35C at Heathrow and Kew Gardens in London. This surpasses the previous May record of 32.8C set in 1922 and 1944. The unprecedented heat has also triggered water shortages across the UK.
France has also recorded its hottest May day on record, with temperatures reaching between 33 and 36C, particularly in the West. In Paris, temperatures rose above 30C for the first time this year. The heatwave has led to seven deaths in France linked directly or indirectly to the weather, including five drownings and two deaths during sporting events. Authorities issued a yellow heatwave alert on Sunday and later placed eight departments on orange heat alert, marking a first for the month of May.
The heatwave is expected to last at least until the end of the week, with parts of France and Spain potentially seeing temperatures reach 40C. Scientists state that these extremes are a reminder of the climate crisis, noting that climate change has made heatwaves more frequent, longer, and more intense. Officials have issued health warnings and restrictions on outdoor work as the region braces for a potential super El Niño summer.