A severe heatwave gripping Western Europe has claimed dozens of lives, disrupted power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, with forecasters warning that extreme temperatures could persist until the end of the week.
Record-Breaking Temperatures in Britain
Britain logged its highest temperature for June, reaching 35.8 degrees Celsius (96.26 degrees Fahrenheit) in the village of Wiggonholt, West Sussex. This edged above the previous June record of 35.6°C set in 1957 and matched in 1976. The record came as a heat dome hovered over much of Western Europe, and the UK's meteorological office issued only its second extreme heat warning ever.
Hundreds of schools across Britain closed or shortened their day as officials warned that high temperatures could endanger even healthy people. The extreme heat also disrupted London Climate Action Week, with organisers cancelling an event on extreme heat because of the heat itself.
Deaths and Agricultural Impact in Spain and France
Spain reported two elderly people had died of heatstroke after days of temperatures exceeding 40°C, though conditions there began to ease on Wednesday following the hottest late-June days on record, according to national weather agency AEMET.
In France, scorching temperatures killed hundreds of thousands of birds at poultry farms in Brittany and the Pays de la Loire, agricultural groups said. The country's nuclear power plants, which supply most of its electricity, cut output by about 7% of total demand as high temperatures limited access to cooling water.
Omega Block Drives Extreme Heat
The heatwave is being driven by a weather pattern known as an Omega block, pushing temperatures as much as 18°C above normal, according to the Reuters Climate Monitor. The phenomenon resembles the shape of the Greek letter Omega, with a bulbous middle trapping heat over regions for extended periods, with cooler weather on its fringes.
Heatwaves and storms are being intensified by climate change. Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, the World Meteorological Organisation has said, making prolonged heat episodes increasingly likely.
Cultural Landmarks and Events Disrupted
The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris announced early closing times, and the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace was scaled back, without the usual ceremony of soldiers in scarlet tunics and heavy bearskin hats. The Uffizi Galleries in Florence, one of Italy's top tourist sites, halted ticket sales on Wednesday to fix an air conditioning malfunction.
In Paris, where the annual Fashion Week was underway, the audience sweated through the Louis Vuitton show as male models showed off creations by pop singer Pharrell Williams on Tuesday evening. Labels including Dior and Rick Owens changed their schedules to hold shows in the morning.
First-time visitors to the French capital were disappointed. "So many people who had travelled from around the world aren't getting the chance to see the sights that Paris has to offer because of this heatwave," said Tanya Thompson, a visitor from the United States.
On the city's streets, hundreds of undocumented migrants tried to find refuge from the heat, sleeping in nylon tents under an overpass as a municipal worker hosed down a sidewalk.
Widespread Impact Across Europe
An extreme heat warning was in place across the Netherlands, where outdoor sports were cancelled, public transport was scaled down, and schools shortened classes or closed as temperatures were expected to soar to 36°C. In Switzerland, local authorities opened air-conditioned theatres for free daytime cinema screenings.
Construction firms across the continent adjusted working hours to limit exposure, and retailers struggled to keep up with demand for fans and portable air conditioners. Europe has no unified rules governing work in extreme heat, with national regulations varying. A French agricultural cooperative said farmers had moved to night shifts to protect workers and reduce fire risk.
At the Vatican, tourists waited patiently in the blazing sun to visit museums on Wednesday. Some held umbrellas or fans, and many gathered for refills of water from fountains or cafes for other refreshments. "We want a beer, a beer for the heat," said Father Israel from the Dominican Republic as he held up a large pint of lager.
Weather agency Meteo-France said the conditions are comparable to a heatwave in August 2003 that lasted 16 days and caused an estimated 80,000 excess deaths across Europe. Conditions in France were expected to remain stifling on Thursday, extending a red alert weather warning to 72 districts across the country.
