Europe is experiencing one of the most powerful heatwaves in recent years. In several countries, temperatures have already exceeded 40 degrees, and climatologists warn that such weather anomalies are becoming increasingly frequent and prolonged due to global warming.
A significant part of Europe is under the grip of extreme heat, which experts are already comparing to the major heatwaves of 2003, 2006, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024, NOS reports.
The situation is particularly severe in France and Spain, where a red weather warning has been issued in many regions. According to climatologists, the current heat is directly related to ongoing climate change.
Modern climate research methods allow for an assessment of how likely such weather events would be without the influence of global warming. Scientists note that not every extreme event is caused by climate change; however, heatwaves show the most obvious connection to the rise in average global temperatures.
Experts emphasize that today heat periods not only occur more frequently but also become more intense and prolonged. While strong heat that was observed approximately once every ten years was once considered an exceptional phenomenon, such periods now occur on average every three years and are accompanied by higher temperatures.
The situation is even more pronounced with extreme heatwaves. According to scientists, events that used to happen approximately once every fifty years now recur every eleven years and are on average 1.2 degrees warmer.
This week, the consequences of these changes are particularly noticeable in France. In several regions, air temperatures have reached 41 degrees. Authorities have declared a red alert in a record number of departments. Due to the heat, sporting events have been canceled, and additional restrictions have been imposed during the traditional music festival Fête de la Musique.
Weather forecasts predict that in the coming days, temperatures in France may reach 40–42 degrees, and the abnormally hot weather will persist for several days.
High temperatures have also been recorded in other European countries. In much of England, thermometers have risen to 35 degrees, and new temperature records for June are not ruled out in the coming days. In southern Germany and several Alpine countries, temperatures are expected to reach up to 38 degrees.
Spain also remains in the zone of extreme heat. In most regions of the country, temperatures above 40 degrees are forecasted, which is particularly unusual for June. Abnormally hot weather is expected even in northern provinces, including Navarra and the Basque Country, where such figures are usually recorded much less frequently.
Climatologists consider the current heatwave yet another confirmation that climate change is making extreme temperature events more frequent and dangerous. As the planet continues to warm, Europe may increasingly face prolonged periods of abnormal heat that will impact not only human health but also the economy, agriculture, and infrastructure.
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