Western Europe Faces Unprecedented Heatwave This May
Western Europe braces for first major heat event of the summer
Image: The Guardian
Western Europe is preparing for its first major heat event of the summer, with temperatures expected to exceed 30°C (86°F) across Portugal, Spain, France, and the UK. Forecasts indicate record-breaking highs, driven by a heat dome trapping hot air from Morocco, raising concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of such heat events due to climate change.
- 01Temperatures in Paris and London are expected to reach 32°C, while parts of south-west France could see highs of 35°C and even 38°C in certain regions.
- 02Météo-France predicts new records for May temperatures in France, potentially exceeding the previous highest of 30.5°C set in 2025.
- 03The UK may experience temperatures as high as 33°C, surpassing the May record of 32.8°C set in 1944, prompting extraordinary heat health alerts.
- 04A tragic incident in Galicia, Spain, resulted in the death of a two-year-old girl left in a car during the extreme heat.
- 05The heatwave is expected to last several days, with temperatures in Spain forecasted to be 5°C to 10°C above seasonal averages.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Western Europe is bracing for an intense heatwave, with temperatures forecasted to soar more than 10°C above normal across several countries, including Portugal, Spain, France, and the UK. On Friday and into the following week, cities like Paris and London are expected to reach 32°C (86°F), while parts of south-west France could see highs of 35°C, and regions in Spain may peak at 38°C. Météo-France warns that new monthly records for May are likely to be set, possibly exceeding the previous highest May temperature of 30.5°C recorded in 2025. This extreme weather is attributed to a heat dome trapping hot air from Morocco under a powerful anticyclone. The UK's Met Office has issued extraordinary heat health alerts, predicting temperatures could reach 33°C on Monday, surpassing the May record set in 1944. The heatwave poses serious risks, exemplified by a tragic incident in Galicia, Spain, where a two-year-old girl died after being left in a hot car. Experts warn that such extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The heatwave poses serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations, and could lead to increased incidents of heat-related illnesses.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
How concerned are you about the increasing frequency of heatwaves?
Connecting to poll...
More about Météo-France
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.