Europe is currently experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) across the continent. France has recorded its hottest-ever day for two consecutive days, with over 50 departments experiencing temperatures above 40C since the heatwave began on June 17. The national temperature indicator in France, an average of daytime and nighttime temperatures across 30 stations, reached 30C on Wednesday, the highest since measurements started in 1947.
This extreme weather event has been attributed to a persistent pattern that traps hot air over the region, a phenomenon scientists say is intensified by global warming. "Human-driven climate change has provided the springboard for this event, loading the atmosphere with extra heat and making extreme temperatures far more intense than they would have been in the past," stated Akshay Deoras, a senior researcher at the University of Reading's National Centre for Atmospheric Science. A scientific study suggests that current temperatures would have been 2 to 4 degrees Celsius cooler without human-induced climate change.
The heatwave has already led to fatalities. In Carpentras, France, two young brothers, aged two and four, died after being found in a family car. Initial autopsy results indicated death from heat exposure, pending further analysis. The children's mother has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Authorities have issued widespread alerts. The French weather agency placed three-quarters of the country under a red alert for extreme heat from midday Thursday until Friday, affecting tens of millions of people. More than 90 percent of the French population is exposed to extreme heat, with temperatures of 39C to 41C forecast for Wednesday.
Infrastructure and daily life have been significantly impacted. In the usually temperate Brittany region, a heat-related equipment failure caused a power outage affecting tens of thousands of households. Up to 106,000 clients of the French power network experienced power loss by late Tuesday due to scorching temperatures straining the grid. Sales of fans and air conditioners have surged, with one hypermarket operator selling 30,000 units in a single day, a significant increase from normal sales. Electronics retailers have also reported double-digit growth in sales.
The United Kingdom has also recorded its hottest June day, with temperatures reaching 36C (96.8 F) in southern England. The national weather forecaster issued a red alert for much of central and southern England and Wales, with temperatures potentially nearing the UK's all-time high of 40.3C. The current heatwave is also expected to surpass the June record of 35.6C set in 1976.
Transportation services are facing disruptions. National Rail warned of delays on several routes, while Avanti West Coast and Chiltern Railways planned to reduce services. Eurostar cancelled multiple trains between London and Paris due to the adverse weather. In Belgium, the Atomium monument announced earlier closing times for visitors.
Further east, Italy's health ministry declared a red heatwave alert in 16 cities, including Milan and Rome. Poland's weather service issued high-level heat warnings, forecasting potential record-breaking temperatures. Croatia's Adriatic coast and Hungary are also under red alerts.
Some relief is expected in Spain, where temperatures were forecast to drop by Wednesday, with no red or orange alerts expected by Thursday. However, much of western Europe remains under heat advisories. In the Netherlands, central and southern regions are under a code orange for extreme heat, prompting measures such as free swimming in city pools and reduced train services.