Europe Copes with Record-Breaking Spring Heat Wave
Authorities reported at least 11 heat-related deaths as temperatures reached record May highs and officials warned the heatwave could last through the week.
- On Tuesday, residents of western Europe sweltered through record-breaking heat, with the United Kingdom recording its hottest-ever May day at 35.1C at Kew Gardens in southwest London, breaking Monday's 34.8C record.
- Hit by a so-called "heat dome" of warm air from northern Africa, a high-pressure system trapped warm air over western Europe, pushing mercury well above normal May levels.
- Spain's State Meteorological Agency warned of "extraordinarily high temperatures for this time of year" peaking between 36C and 38C from Wednesday to Friday; at the French Open in Paris, player Casper Ruud said the 33C heat left him feeling "like a zombie."
- French authorities reported on Tuesday at least seven deaths linked to the heatwave—five drownings—while British authorities said four teens drowned in England since Sunday; Italy's Lazio region approved Monday rules limiting work "with prolonged exposure in the sun" between 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm.
- Scientists say human-driven climate change is amplifying such extremes, with Europe experiencing the fastest warming since 1990 according to US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data, closely followed by Asia and North America in third place.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Western Europe breaks heat records in mid-spring with deaths in United Kingdom and France
Several Western European countries this week broke historic temperature records for the boreal spring, in a heat wave described as 'unprecedented' by national weather services in the United Kingdom and France, which has caused at least ten deaths and stretched the continent's health services. The episode is part of a trend of extreme events that the scientific community links directly to human-driven climate change, according to a study published
Record spring heat wave bakes Europe
Residents of western Europe turned to fans and fountains as they sweltered through a record-breaking heat wave Tuesday, with temperatures set to soar even further.Hit by a so-called "heat dome" of warm air from northern Africa that is pushing the mercury well above normal levels for May, some Europeans even admitted they were considering getting...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
