Western Europe is experiencing an unusually strong heatwave for May. In the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Ireland, temperatures have approached summer extremes, and forecasters warn that the heat will last at least until the end of the week.
The United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and Spain are experiencing a powerful heatwave, which is considered almost anomalous for the end of May.
In many regions, temperatures have already approached +30 degrees or exceeded this mark, with Spain expecting temperatures up to +38 degrees in the coming days.
Meteorologists explain this phenomenon as a so-called "heat dome." This is a situation where hot air from North Africa becomes "trapped" over a region by a high-pressure system and cannot dissipate quickly.
The situation is particularly unusual for the United Kingdom. According to the Met Office, Monday was the hottest May day on record.
In London, temperatures rose to +34.8 degrees — two degrees higher than the previous record. British forecasters noted that such heat would be considered extreme even for mid-summer.
For many residents of Western Europe, the current weather seems almost surreal: just recently, the region experienced a cool and rainy spring, and now temperatures are akin to those of July or August.
In France, dozens of local temperature records have been broken. Heat warnings have been issued in several regions, and in Brittany and the south of the country, temperatures are expected to reach +35 to +37 degrees in some areas. Against the backdrop of the heat, a tragedy occurred in Paris — during a mass race, a man died, and ten other participants were hospitalized in critical condition.
In Spain, meteorologists predict particularly severe conditions in the southwest of the country, where temperatures could reach +36 to +38 degrees from the middle of the week.
In Italy, authorities in some regions have already imposed restrictions on outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day.
Ireland has also broken May temperature records — two weather stations recorded +28.8 degrees.
Scientists have long warned that climate change is making such weather anomalies increasingly common. Many experts now speak not of exceptions but of the gradual formation of a new climate norm.
Last week, British climate consultants warned the government that the country’s infrastructure — schools, hospitals, and residential buildings — was designed for a climate that is effectively disappearing.
Forecasters expect that the abnormal heat in Western Europe will persist at least until the end of the week.
