Europe has been gripped by record heat, which is expected to continue for two more weeks across the continent. The heatwave that swept through Spain has caused 327 deaths since last Sunday, June 21, according to Spain’s Carlos III Health Institute. The country experienced record June temperatures, breaking several national and local records.
According to Spain’s national meteorological agency (AEMET), the heatwave in Spain ended on Thursday. Based on national temperature records kept since 1950, June 23 was the hottest June day on record, with June 22 ranking second. The worst anomalies were recorded in northern Spain, where Bilbao airport set new records for both daily maximum and nighttime minimum temperatures. Since the start of the annual heat observation season in mid-May, the Carlos III Institute has registered 611 deaths related to high temperatures.
Forecasts for the next two weeks
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the heatwave is expected to affect significant parts of Western, Central, and Southern Europe over the next two weeks. Current forecasts indicate that the center of the heat is likely to shift further toward the Balkans, the UN agency reported on Thursday.
“Prolonged exposure over several days, especially when temperatures remain high at night, means that the body enters each new day already in a state of stress”, said Lachlan McIver, health advisor at the Joint WHO-WMO Climate and Health Office. Elderly people, young children, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and those with chronic illnesses are more vulnerable to high temperatures, but “heat stress can affect anyone when the temperature is extreme enough for a long enough time”, warned McIver.
Extreme temperatures in Europe
Western European countries are facing extreme temperatures during the heatwave. France recorded its hottest day on record on Tuesday, June 24, when the average temperature exceeded 30°C for 24 hours for the first time. The country also reported 40 drowning deaths in the past week as people sought refuge in rivers and other bodies of water. According to the WMO, the temperature in the city of Palluau in western France rose to 43.8°C.
Belgium issued a heat warning from Wednesday, as the country’s Royal Meteorological Institute expects extreme temperatures to intensify in the coming days. Germany’s national meteorological service issued widespread red alerts, including for Berlin, Bonn, Frankfurt, and Cologne. In Switzerland, Geneva, Basel, and Zurich were also under red alerts.
Source: Euronews