A deadly heat wave is gripping Western Europe, breaking temperature records in the U.K., France, and Spain. Approximately 101 million Europeans were expected to experience temperatures exceeding 35C on Thursday, with conditions in some areas described as hotter than weather in parts of Africa.
France shattered its all-time heat record on Wednesday and remains under an extreme heat alert as 63 million people endure temperatures over 30C. The heat has caused widespread power outages in Brittany. Across the region, this early summer heat wave has claimed dozens of lives, and officials in Spain indicated the temperatures may have contributed to a spike in deaths.
The weather has caused significant disruption to daily life for millions, resulting in the closure of schools and cultural landmarks. Authorities in Britain and France warned citizens to ditch their routines to stay safe. Scientists stated that high humidity and high night-time temperatures made the weather in June particularly dangerous.
This second heat wave since May continues to rage in the west but is now moving eastward. It is expected to hit eastern countries in the next few days.