Western Europe is facing a significant early-summer heatwave, with unprecedented high temperatures recorded in France, Spain, and the United Kingdom this May. In France, over 350 towns, particularly in the western regions, have reported their highest temperatures for the month, with the southwestern area of Landes reaching a peak of 37.1°C. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom set a new national May temperature record as Kew Gardens in London registered a scorching 34.8°C.
According to weather experts, temperatures in several European regions are currently 12°C to 13°C above the seasonal norms, with forecasts predicting the heatwave to persist for several more days. In Spain, temperatures have already soared to 38°C in the south, and some areas might hit 40°C later this week. The phenomenon is attributed to a heat dome, where hot air from Morocco is trapped under a strong high-pressure system, a situation that experts warn is exacerbated by climate change.
France has activated its national heat warning system for the first time in May since its introduction in 2004, with 31 departments placed under high-temperature alerts, some at the second-highest warning level. Temperatures have exceeded 35°C in several French towns, with Paris nearing 33°C. Amid these conditions, a participant in a 10-kilometer race near Paris tragically died, reportedly from a heart attack due to the extreme heat, while several others were hospitalized in critical condition.
Meteorologists in Spain have cautioned that numerous regions might experience “tropical nights,” where nighttime temperatures remain above 20°C. The occurrence of heatwaves is becoming more frequent and intense in Europe, now happening earlier in the year, as a result of long-term climate change impacts.