LONDON, United Kingdom – Western Europe experienced record-breaking temperatures on Tuesday as a heatwave from northern Africa continued to push the mercury well above normal levels for May, with forecasters predicting further rises this week.
The UK reported its hottest-ever day for May, reaching 35.1°C at Kew Gardens in southwest London. This broke the previous record of 34.8°C set at the same location just one day earlier, as a high-pressure system trapped warm air over western Europe.
Gurjit Gill, who works in banking in London, said he was considering buying an air conditioning unit for the first time. “I’m thinking about actually maybe getting an AC unit, because the bedrooms at night-time are quite unbearable,” he said.
France logged its hottest-ever May day on Monday, only to break that record again on Tuesday. The country’s weather agency predicted the heatwave could last through the week, with temperatures potentially reaching 39°C in some areas.
French health minister Stephanie Rist said authorities were not in an emergency situation but added: “We need to be wary of these heatwaves, even if we’re starting to get used to them.”
Deaths linked to extreme heat
French authorities reported at least seven deaths linked to the heatwave on Tuesday, five of which were drownings as people sought relief at water spots. Lifeguard supervision on many beaches is not due to start until July.
British authorities said four teenagers had drowned in England since Sunday.
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Climate impact on work and agriculture
Benjamin Boisson, a fruit grower in southern France, said the extreme temperature fluctuation would likely cause a sharp drop in production and complicate storage.
A previous warm spell had already forced him to harvest apricots five days earlier than planned this year, on 1 May. “That may not seem like much, but it changes everything. The major retailers weren’t ready and are still selling Spanish apricots when they should have switched over to French ones,” he said.
Italy’s Lazio region, which includes Rome, approved rules on Monday limiting work in conditions “with prolonged exposure in the sun” between 12:30 and 16:00.
Record temperatures across the continent
Ireland recorded a May temperature of 28.8°C at two weather stations, according to Met Eireann data.
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency warned of “extraordinarily high temperatures for this time of year” that will continue all week, with widespread tropical nights forecast in the south-west from Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to peak between Wednesday and Friday at 36°C to 38°C.
Tennis fans at the French Open in Paris endured temperatures of 33°C, with Norwegian player Casper Ruud saying the heat left him feeling “like a zombie”.
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Climate change concerns
Swiss tourist Philippe Bignens, visiting London with his father, said they had to change plans and retreat to their hotel. “If you’re not concerned about global warming, you must be deaf, blind altogether, right?” he said.
Bob Ward from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics said changes in behaviour, homes and businesses were needed.
“We now have the climate of the Mediterranean countries in the summer but we don’t have the buildings and offices built for a Mediterranean climate,” he said.
Scientists say human-driven climate change is making weather events like heatwaves, droughts and floods more intense and frequent.
Europe is the continent that has experienced the fastest warming since 1990, closely followed by Asia, with North America in third place, according to data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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