A powerful weather event, described as a 'tsunami cloud,' brought a sudden, violent gale to a beach in Hendaye, France, forcing tourists to flee the shoreline as the region endures a severe heatwave.
The phenomenon, known locally as a 'galerne,' is characterized by a rapid drop in temperature and strong northwesterly winds. Eyewitnesses described it as a "tornado," with conditions rapidly shifting from sunshine to darkness and mist, accompanied by winds up to 59 mph. In Hendaye, temperatures plummeted by 11°C (20°F) in just six minutes. A similar event occurred in Biarritz, where the temperature dropped from a record 42.9°C (109.2°F) to 23°C (73.4°F) within minutes.
Galernes typically occur when cold maritime air from the Bay of Biscay moves over warmer land. Their intensity on the Basque coast is amplified by the topography of the Pyrenees and Cantabrian Mountains, which channel the cold air. Forecasters noted that the wall of humidity associated with the galerne can be visible shortly before its arrival.
Europe's Heatwave and Wildfires
The dramatic weather event on the French coast occurred as Europe grappled with its third heatwave of the summer, which has contributed to an estimated 10,650 excess deaths across 27 European countries in late June, according to data from EuroMOMO, a network supported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization. The vast majority of these fatalities were among individuals aged 65 and above.
Scientists have linked the intensification and increased frequency of such heatwaves to human-caused climate change. The extreme temperatures have exacerbated tinder-dry conditions, fueling wildfires across the continent. In France, firefighters battled a blaze that threatened the historic Fontainebleau forest near Paris. The fire, which had scorched approximately 3,200 acres, was a few kilometers from the Palace of Fontainebleau, prompting a significant deployment of resources, including water-carrying aircraft.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that France was likely heading for a record year for fires, with 32,000 hectares burned already, exceeding the total for the entirety of the previous year. The blaze disrupted transportation, forcing the closure of the A6 highway and impacting high-speed train services. Approximately 900 people were evacuated from their homes.
Separate scientific studies have estimated significant heat-related deaths in England and Wales during the May and June heatwaves, with a notable percentage attributed to the extra heat contributed by global warming. Meteorologists forecast continued high temperatures across Europe, with Italy anticipating another week-long heatwave bringing high humidity and tropical nights.
The extreme weather has had broader economic impacts, damaging crops, affecting nuclear power output in France, and increasing freight transport costs along the Rhine River in Germany due to low water levels. In Italy, farmers have implemented measures to manage livestock and maintain dairy production amidst the challenging conditions.