Forty people have lost their lives since June 18 in France as the country battles one of the most intense heatwave events in recent years. The last night was recorded as the hottest ever measured on French territory, heightening authorities’ concerns about the impact of the extreme heat.
Read also: Europe in the “oven”: The Seine turns into a beach, three dead in France and 42°C on the map — breathless nights in Spain and Italy (Video)
At the same time, almost all of Spain is on high alert, as are several cities across Italy, while Britain is bracing for temperatures expected to reach unprecedented levels. This is the second heatwave to strike western Europe in less than a month, with scientists warning that human-driven climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
France: forty people have drowned since June 18, government confirms
The heatwave gripping France has caused “forty deaths” by drowning since June 18, “mostly among young people,” French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced today. He described it as a “tragic scourge,” as he chaired a new inter-ministerial crisis committee on the seventh day of the heatwave in France.
French Minister of Sport and Youth Marina Ferrari had earlier issued an appeal for people to respect safety rules. Acknowledging the public’s need “to cool down” and “seek out water,” she urged everyone to “exercise great caution when choosing where to swim.”
Monday night was the hottest ever recorded in France
Monday night into Tuesday was the hottest night ever recorded in France since measurements began in 1947, French national meteorological service Météo-France announced today.
The National Heat Index (ITN) — measuring average minimum temperatures across 30 reference stations — stood at 21.6°C, according to preliminary figures released this morning by the national weather service. The previous record was 21.4°C, set on July 25, 2019.
The highest temperature recorded overnight was 28.7°C in Pouzauges, in the Vendée region.
Météo-France also noted that yesterday’s average maximum temperature across the entire country reached 37.8°C, making it the “hottest afternoon” ever recorded. The previous record belonged to the historic 2003 heatwave, at 37.7°C on August 5 of that year.
As early as Monday evening, the national meteorological service had announced that the average temperature for the entire day had broken a June record for France, reaching 29.2°C.
The heatwave is affecting 90% of the French population
Approximately 38.8 million people live in the 54 French departments placed on red alert today, according to an AFP count based on population estimates and the latest Météo-France bulletin. More than 90% of the French population will be under either orange or red alert today.
Nuclear power plant shut down
Operations at the Golfech nuclear power plant in southwestern France were suspended on Monday evening as a precautionary measure, operator EDF announced, as water temperatures in the Garonne River — used to cool the plant’s reactors — were expected to reach 28°C. Nuclear power plants are subject to strict limits on the river temperatures used for reactor cooling, in order to protect local flora and fauna.
Spain on high alert for extreme temperatures
Almost all of Spain was placed on high alert for extreme temperatures today, with parts of Andalusia in the south, the Basque Country, and Cantabria in the north under red alert signalling “exceptional danger.”
More specifically, the outskirts of Córdoba in Andalusia, from Bilbao through the Basque Country, and one province of Cantabria in the north will be under red alert from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time, according to Spain’s national meteorological agency Aemet, which is forecasting temperatures of up to 40°C in the shade in the Basque Country.
15 Italian cities on red alert
The Italian Ministry of Health declared a red heat alert today for 15 cities, including Rome and Milan, and noted that the number would rise to 16 on Wednesday. Under a red alert, the ministry advises light meals, staying indoors during the hottest hours of the day, and keeping cool with water.
Germany: five people drowned over the weekend
The heatwave has increased the number of accidental drownings in Germany, with five deaths recorded over the weekend, according to police. Two men aged 20 and 22 drowned in lakes in Bavaria, and a 79-year-old woman drowned in the Baltic Sea. Two more people drowned in lakes in Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Temperatures could reach as high as 41°C in the coming days, the Federal Meteorological Service has warned, noting that “genuine relief” is not in sight any time soon. According to service spokesperson Felix Dittes, temperatures in major metropolitan areas in the west of the country may not drop below 24 or 25°C even at night. “We are talking about fully tropical conditions — unbearable without air conditioning,” he stressed. Tomorrow, temperatures close to 38°C are expected in western and southwestern Germany, with readings above 30°C forecast for eastern and northern regions as well. “Things will get worse on Thursday and Friday, with temperatures potentially between 39 and 41°C,” Dittes said, while still expressing some caution about the ultimate severity of the heatwave.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Germany was 41.2°C on July 25, 2019 in North Rhine-Westphalia, while the hottest June day on record was June 30, 2019 in Saxony-Anhalt at 39.6°C. “A slight cooling trend may emerge at the start of next week, but only for the northwest,” the meteorological service spokesperson said, adding that the heatwave — with temperatures above 30°C — would likely persist throughout the following week.
At a local level, states and municipalities are taking measures to cope with the extreme temperatures. Munich residents are being urged to limit their water consumption, which has already risen by 20% compared to a “normal” day. Specifically, water should not be used for garden irrigation, car washing, or paddling pools. In Berlin, students will be allowed to leave school early over the coming days to avoid the hottest hours, and outdoor school sporting events are being cancelled.
Schools closed in the UK as record-breaking temperatures loom
Schools across England largely closed today, with others set to remain shut until Thursday evening to protect children from the heat, as the United Kingdom prepares for three days of unprecedented temperatures.
The June temperature record — 35.6°C, set in both 1976 and 1957 — could be broken as early as today, with 37°C forecast for southern England.
The UK Met Office issued a red alert for Wednesday and Thursday for an exceptionally rare heatwave, with temperatures potentially reaching 40°C across parts of southern England, including the country’s two largest cities, London and Birmingham.
Portugal facing near-record temperatures
Parts of central and northern Portugal risk experiencing temperatures “close to historical records,” while elsewhere temperatures will be above average, Portugal’s national meteorological service IPMA announced. Three regions in the north of the country have been placed on orange alert through today, Meteo Portugal clarified.
Belgium fears all-time temperature records
In Belgium, temperatures are expected to be “the highest ever recorded” during the coming week, a spokesperson for the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) warned. French and Belgian authorities cancelled or reduced rail services over fears of track damage that could cause congestion and delays.
