Historical temperature records are being broken across Europe, as large parts of the continent are hit by an intense heat wave that arrived unusually early in the year.
Europe is facing a powerful “thermal dome” – a persistent high-pressure system that acts like a lid, trapping warm air and pushing it towards the ground. Scientists say this phenomenon is being exacerbated by human-induced climate change, which is making heatwaves more frequent and intense.
According to forecasts, a slight de-escalation is expected today and tomorrow, with temperatures remaining high, but at slightly lower levels. At the same time, there are warnings of storms in parts of Britain and France and of hail in Italy.
In the United Kingdom, Monday was recorded as the country's hottest May day on record, with temperatures reaching 34,8 degrees Celsius at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London, beating the previous record by a full two degrees. Temperature records are usually broken by only a few tenths of a degree.
The record was broken again on Tuesday, when the mercury hit 35 degrees Celsius. The average maximum temperature for London in late May is around 20 degrees.
As temperatures soared on Monday, a fire broke out near Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland, while hundreds of homes in southeast England were left without water due to increased demand. Ten people also drowned after trying to cool off by diving into lakes and rivers.
The sunset brought no relief to Britain, as “tropical nights” were recorded, with temperatures not falling below 20 degrees Celsius. While these temperatures may not be considered extreme in other parts of the world, in the United Kingdom they are causing serious discomfort and public health risks, as most homes are not built to withstand the heat and only 5% have air conditioning.
The UK Commission on Climate Change recently warned that the country was “built for a climate that no longer exists.”
"While we have had warm spells in May from time to time, what we are seeing now is unprecedented," said Stephen Dixon of the UK's Met Office, noting that climate change is significantly increasing the likelihood of new temperature records. "What was previously thought to be a once-in-a-century event is now happening around once-in-33 years," he said.
"Unprecedented" heatwave for France, tropical nights in Paris
Britain is not the only country being tested. Much of western Europe is experiencing temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal for the season.
In France, the weather service Météo France described the heatwave as "unprecedented" for the season, while Monday was the hottest May day ever recorded in the country.
The high temperatures are already having deadly consequences. According to French government spokeswoman Maud Brejon, seven deaths have been recorded directly or indirectly linked to the heatwave, including five drownings and incidents during sporting events.
Heatwave in Europe: Records broken in Britain, 40s in France and Spain, major cities in Italy on red alert
Heatwave in Europe: Records broken in Britain, 40s in France and Spain, major cities in Italy on red alert
On Sunday, a 53-year-old man died during a running race in Paris, while a woman lost her life at a Hyrox sports event in Lyon.
France's Sports Minister Marina Ferrari said the deaths were "a harsh reminder that exercising in extreme heat requires absolute caution."
In Paris, the overnight temperature did not fall below 20 degrees Celsius at the city's official weather station in Parc Montsouris, with the lowest temperature reaching 20,2 degrees in the early hours of the morning. In other areas of the French capital, such as Saint-Germain, the temperature remained above 23 degrees. Under normal conditions, the average temperature in Paris at this time of year only barely exceeds 20 degrees during the day.
An orange heatwave warning went into effect in Paris and the suburbs of the French capital as of noon on Thursday, while a total of 17 French departments are on high alert.
Temperatures in southern France are even approaching 40 degrees Celsius, while in almost the entire country the mercury ranges from 32 to 35 degrees.
Rome and three other cities in Italy on red alert, Spain is also "burning"
In Italy, health ministries have put Rome, Florence, Bologna and Turin on red alert due to the heatwave. Authorities warn that the conditions pose a threat not only to vulnerable groups but even to healthy citizens.
Correspondingly, Spain is experiencing "extremely high temperatures for the season," according to the meteorological agency AEMET, with temperatures in parts of the country, such as Bilbao, in the Basque Country, exceeding 40 degrees today.
Scientists say extreme heat is one of the clearest signs of the climate crisis. Greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels act like a "blanket" around the Earth, gradually increasing the planet's temperature.
“We know without a doubt that heatwaves like this have become more likely and more intense due to climate change,” said Peter Thorne, director of the ICARUS Centre for Climate Research at Maynooth University in Ireland. “However, many of the records that are now being set, particularly in the UK and France, are truly unimaginable,” he added.
Over 62.000 people died last year
The consequences are already dramatic. More than 62.000 people died in Europe from heat-related causes during 2024, the hottest year on record.
At the same time, the UN warns that global temperatures will remain at historically high levels until 2030. According to the World Meteorological Organization, there is a 75% chance that the average global temperature for the period 2026-2030 will exceed pre-industrial levels by more than 1,5 degrees Celsius.
In addition, experts estimate that the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to strengthen in late 2026, could lead to even warmer years both this year and 2027.
