Western Europe was hit by an unseasonal heatwave on Tuesday, with record-breaking temperatures sweeping across the continent.According to the weather agency, a “heat dome” carried warm air from North Africa and trapped it under a high-pressure system over western Europe, causing temperatures well above normal averages for May. In France, at least seven people have died directly or indirectly as a result of the extreme weather, while authorities in multiple countries have issued warnings and restrictions, Reuters reported. France’s meteorological agency said Monday was the country’s hottest May day since measurements began, while Britain also recorded its hottest May day on record. Temperatures are expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius in some parts of France on Tuesday, with high temperatures likely to persist into Wednesday and Thursday.French Energy Minister Maud Bregen said five of the seven people who died as a result of the heat wave drowned in lakes, rivers and beaches as people sought refuge from soaring temperatures. Authorities have also instructed local governments to implement protective measures during sporting events.In Paris, temperatures around 33 degrees Celsius left Roland Garros spectators and players struggling in difficult conditions. French authorities said a man died during a 10km race in Paris on Sunday and 10 others were taken to hospital in critical condition after another race near the capital.Much of Brittany remained under an orange heat warning on Tuesday.“It’s a bit worrying because it’s not normal at this time of year, but unfortunately I think this will become the norm in France,” student Chloe Voisin told AFP in Bordeaux.In the UK, the Met Office recorded a maximum temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius in Kew, southwest London, on Monday, two degrees above the previous record in May. Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst described the temperatures as a “good sign that climate change is happening” and said it was increasingly likely that this would become the “new normal”.The Met Office posted on In London, the average temperature at this time of year is usually around 17 or 18 degrees Celsius.Visitors and residents alike are struggling to cope with the situation. “If you don’t care about global warming, you must be deaf and blind, right?” Swiss tourist Philippe Bignans told AFP in London.Spanish weather agency Aemet warned of “unusually high temperatures for this time of year”, with temperatures expected to reach 36 to 38 degrees Celsius later this week, along with “widespread tropical nights”.In Italy, authorities in Lazio imposed restrictions on outdoor work in sectors such as agriculture, construction and logistics between 12:30 pm and 4 pm.Scientists say human-caused climate change is exacerbating heat waves, droughts and floods, making such extreme weather events more frequent and severe across Europe, AFP reported.
