Northern and central Europe are grappling with an unprecedented heatwave, as multiple countries report record-breaking temperatures and a sharp rise in heat-related fatalities.
The Czech Republic registered its highest-ever temperature on Saturday, reaching 40.8C (105.4F) at a weather station in Doksany, according to the national meteorological service. In Denmark, a provisional temperature of 37C (98.6F) in Odum surpassed the previous all-time record of 36.4C (97.5F) set in 1976.
Switzerland experienced its hottest June day on record for the third consecutive day on Saturday, with temperatures climbing to 39C (102.2F) in the northern city of Basel. Forecasters attribute the exceptional heatwave to a persistent area of high pressure, described as a 'heat dome,' where sinking air compresses and warms, leading to progressively higher temperatures day by day. Largely cloud-free skies have further intensified the heat by allowing strong sunshine.
The extreme weather has had severe consequences. In France, the number of drowning deaths has risen to at least 55 since the heatwave began, with an estimated two-thirds of victims swimming in unsupervised areas. Spain's MoMo monitoring system has recorded 327 potential heat-related deaths between Sunday and Thursday.
Scientists emphasize that Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, a phenomenon linked to factors such as rapid Arctic heating and alterations in the jet stream pattern. Experts from the World Weather Attribution initiative state that a heatwave of this magnitude occurring so early in the summer would have been highly improbable just 50 years ago, unequivocally linking climate change as the cause.
While temperatures above 40C (104F) are still possible over the weekend and into Monday, cooler conditions are expected to move eastward across the continent later in the week, offering some relief.