France experienced its highest temperature ever recorded on Tuesday during an early heat wave gripping Europe. The Eiffel Tower and Louvre museum adjusted visiting hours, and school and transportation schedules were disrupted in multiple countries. Red alerts were issued in the United Kingdom and Spain due to extreme heat risks for tens of millions of people.
The national thermal indicator in France reached a record high of 29.8 C, based on temperatures from 30 weather stations, marking unprecedented highs for the country. Meteo France predicted that the scorching conditions would persist through the weekend, with the potential for more record-breaking temperatures.
In Paris, the intense heat forced workers like Gin Dujardin to halt their activities, citing difficulties in working with hot zinc materials. France recorded 40 drowning fatalities in the past week, mainly among young people seeking relief in unsupervised swimming areas, despite official warnings.
The heat wave in France intensified, reaching a “plateau of severity” according to Meteo France, with relentless heat day and night. The impact extended to various sectors like schools and public transportation, leading to closures and adjustments in Paris, including the early closure of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum.
Comparisons were drawn between the current heat wave and the devastating 2003 heat wave in France, which caused thousands of deaths, particularly among the elderly. Europe’s rapid temperature increase, twice the global average since the 1980s, has raised concerns about the health impacts of extreme heat events, with climate change exacerbating the situation.
In the UK, hundreds of schools planned closures due to the extreme heat, with reduced train services to prevent heat-related issues on rail lines. The Met Office issued heat warnings, forecasting potential record daily temperatures in June. Spain also faced a heat wave, with red alerts issued for soaring temperatures in various regions.
Experts warn that climate change is leading to more frequent and intense heat waves, posing health risks and increasing vulnerability to wildfires in Europe. The trend of rising temperatures and extreme weather events highlights the urgent need for climate action and adaptation measures.