In France, the record for the average maximum temperature was broken yesterday, Tuesday, while parts of Britain were placed under a red alert and in Belgium two teenagers drowned, while a transportation worker in Spain remarked: “When the sun beats down on us, we want to die,” as much of Europe is suffocating under the high temperatures of the heat wave.
According to an analysis by the French Press Agency, at least 94 million residents of the Old Continent, most of them in France and Spain, will experience temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius at some point today.
In total, more than 350 million people in Europe (excluding Turkey), nearly two-thirds of the continent’s total population, will experience maximum temperatures today that are expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius. This analysis is based on forecasts from the German Meteorological Service and on projections made in 2025 for the European population by the Joint Research Center, in conjunction with data from the Austrian non-governmental organization Klimadashboard.
Here are the latest updates from the heat wave that affects the Europe:
The record for the average maximum temperature in France was broken yesterday
France broke its record for the average maximum temperature—which had stood since 2003—yesterday, Tuesday, Météo-France announced today.
The national heat index (ITN) for maximum temperatures, which corresponds to the average of the highest temperatures at 30 reference stations, reached 38.2 degrees Celsius yesterday, surpassing the previous record set on August 5, 2003 (37.7 degrees Celsius).
«Yesterday was the »hottest day ever recorded in France,'" the national weather service had already announced last night.
The United Kingdom is on red alert
A red alert for extreme heat went into effect at 08:00 Greenwich Mean Time (11:00 Greek time) in several regions of the United Kingdom.
«During heat waves, the temperature inside exceeds 30 degrees Celsius and the air becomes unbearably stifling,» Yana Markevich, a 33-year-old engineer who lives in an apartment in East London and drafted a motion to authorize the co-owners to install air conditioners. «My husband and I both work from home at 100%, and we also have a dog who’s almost 9 years old. We’re all suffering from the heat—him too.».
Baccalaureate Exams Postponed for 10,000 Students in France
Approximately 10,000 students preparing for the baccalaureate, France’s national high school diploma, had their oral exams postponed this week, according to Education Minister Édouard Zéphé.
According to him, these will take place as scheduled on Friday, with some «adjustments,» such as breaks.
About 68,000 households are without power in France
Approximately 68,000 French households were without power this morning in Brittany, in western France, due to a transformer malfunction linked to the heat, authorities in the Finistère department announced.
“The cause of the incident was accidental and is linked to the high temperatures currently being observed. This incident did not result in any injuries,” the authorities clarified in a statement they issued. However, full restoration is not expected before the end of the day, at the earliest.
Finistère is among the 58 French administrative regions that were placed under a red heat wave alert yesterday, Wednesday—the highest level of alert.
France Faces an «Investment Barrier» to Its Adjustment
«Clearly, we really do have to say that we are facing an investment barrier» when it comes to adapting to climate change, said Minister of Ecological Transition Monique Barbier. «For example, we will have to reevaluate all our urban infrastructure; we will have to reevaluate our water supply systems; we will have to reevaluate our rail networks,» she emphasized.
Two teenagers drowned in Belgium
Two 17-year-olds drowned yesterday in an artificial lake where swimming is prohibited, located in an old, disused quarry in Sprimon in eastern Belgium.
Restrictions on the Atomium's Hours of Operation in Brussels
The Atomium (Atomium) in Brussels, one of Belgium’s most visited attractions, has decided to limit its opening hours to the public starting today for three days due to the heat. This building, with its famous spheres, is made of stainless steel, an alloy that can overheat.
Hundreds of schools have closed in England
Hundreds of schools closed yesterday as Britain braces for two days of record-breaking temperatures. «We can certainly say that British school buildings are not well prepared for this kind of heat. We have far too many buildings that are very old,» James Bowen, deputy general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, told AFP.
Free access to outdoor swimming pools in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Holders of the «City Pass» resident card will be able to swim for free from today through Saturday at six outdoor pools in Amsterdam. City officials announced that they believe «it is important for everyone to have the opportunity to cool off.».
Classes end earlier at schools in Vienna, Austria
In Vienna, the capital of Austria, tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday, parents will be allowed to pick up their children from school starting at 12:00 p.m. due to the heat wave.
«We want to die!» says a worker at a transportation company in Spain
«When the sun beats down on us, we want to die. And inside the truck (…) it’s a nightmare, a real nightmare,» says Valentín Fernández in Madrid, a 54-year-old trucking company employee, his shirt soaked through and beads of sweat rolling down his nose and forehead. «These days are very difficult for us. We have no choice. This is our job. If you don’t work, you won’t have anything to eat. That’s just how it is.».
Almost all of Spain was placed under a heat wave alert yesterday, while some areas of Andalusia in the south, the Basque Country, and Cantabria in the north were placed under a red alert.
In Paris, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are closing early
The Eiffel Tower closed yesterday at 4:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. Greek time) due to the heat wave, in order to «ensure the best possible conditions for visitors» to the attraction. The Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum, will close two hours earlier starting today through Saturday. In addition, Mont-Saint-Michel, the most-visited tourist attraction in France outside the Paris region, has recommended postponing visits.
SM
