France banned alcohol in red alert areas on Sunday, Spain and Germany canceled sporting events and Britain warned of “tropical nights” as Europe was hit by a heatwave that threatens to break June temperature records.
Less than a month after the May heat wave set records in several European countries, the continent is facing a new bout of extreme weather, with temperatures set to rise even further in the coming days.
Scientists have shown that repeated heat waves are a clear indicator of global warming, caused mainly by the burning of coal, oil and gas – and warn that they will become more frequent, longer and more intense.
Here’s a summary of the impacts as the latest heat wave begins in Europe.
– France –
France went ahead with its annual street music festival, Fete de la Musique, despite the sweltering heat.
But to minimize health risks and prevent possible public disturbances, the government announced a ban on alcohol consumption in public places during celebrations in departments under red alert.
And the Louvre museum in Paris canceled a free concert under its famous glass pyramid.
Authorities put a record 35 departments – roughly a third of the country – on red alert.
That number will increase on Monday in 49 of France’s 96 continental departments, or half the country, according to the national weather service.
In Paris, people gathered on the Canal Saint-Martin, where authorities authorized swimming so residents could cool off.
– Germany –
Organizers suspended the final of the Berlin Open tennis tournament and evacuated everyone from the venue due to “severe weather conditions”.
The mercury in the German capital reached 30 degrees Celsius over the weekend, with thunderstorms sweeping much of the region on Sunday.
– Spain –
In Spain, the public screening in Madrid of the national soccer team’s World Cup match against Saudi Arabia was canceled because of extreme heat forecast for the capital, officials said.
Spain declared its first official heat wave of the year from Sunday to Wednesday, with temperatures forecast to reach 44 degrees Celsius in some areas.
In neighboring Spain and Portugal, people flocked to beaches in huge crowds, braved the streets clutching hand fans or used umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun as the weekend turned unseasonably hot.
– Switzerland –
The Swiss weather service warned of a “severe heat wave” bringing temperatures of up to 37 degrees Celsius, with warnings in lower-altitude regions, and said it was unclear when it would end.
– the Balkans –
Orange weather alerts for high temperatures are forecast for parts of Croatia and Serbia in the coming days, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius.
Croatian authorities issued health recommendations for coping with extreme heat, while North Macedonia, Bosnia and Montenegro are also bracing for extreme temperatures.
– Britain –
Britain’s weather service issued amber warnings for extreme heat from Monday to Thursday, with temperatures expected to reach 38C in England and Wales in the coming days.
“Overnight temperatures will also be very high, with widespread tropical nights, where the temperature does not drop below 20 degrees Celsius, in southern parts of England,” the Met Office said.
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