U.K. and Western Europe Experience Record-Breaking Heatwave

Extreme temperatures broke records in the U.K. and parts of Western Europe, causing disruptions and health warnings. The U.K.’s Met Office reported a peak of 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) at London’s Kew Gardens and Heathrow Airport. This surpassed the previous day’s record temperature of 34.8 C (94.6 F) at Kew and a historic 1922 record of 32.8 C (91.4 F).

Swimmers sought relief from the heat in an open-air pool in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire. This heatwave also caused a rare “tropical night” in London, keeping temperatures above 20 C (68 F) overnight.

France recorded temperatures of 36 C (97 F) in its southwest regions, with night temperatures also high. Météo-France pinpointed a “heat dome” as the cause, maintaining temperatures over 10 degrees above typical levels for this season.

Such extreme weather is becoming common, influenced by climate change. “Heat wave events like this have become more severe and frequent due to our emissions,” explained Peter Thorne, director at Maynooth University’s ICARUS Climate Research Centre.

Rising temperatures followed a busy U.K. holiday weekend, drawing crowds to beaches and parks. Yet, public transport experienced issues, with reports of smoke at Waterloo station and ongoing firefighting efforts in Scotland due to a grass fire near Edinburgh.

The U.K. Health Security Agency issued an amber alert through Thursday, warning the public of health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups. Dangers were heightened by the lack of air conditioning in many homes and public spaces.

At least three teenagers in the U.K. died from drowning in lakes and reservoirs, while a man aged 60 drowned off the southwest coast of England.

In France, spokesperson Maud Bregeon reported at least seven suspected heat-related deaths, including drownings and incidents during sports events. The early onset of the heatwave, prior to lifeguard cover on beaches, posed additional hazards. In the Gironde region, strong surf resulted in multiple emergencies on Sunday, including two fatalities.

Sophie Brocas, the regional administrator, advised beachgoers to exercise extreme caution.

In Spain, similar early summer temperatures were recorded, with Seville reaching 38 C (100 F). Temperatures across the Iberian Peninsula were 5 to 10 degrees higher than average.

Temperatures in Rome were forecasted to hit 32 degrees C (89.6 F).