7 dead as France records hottest May temperatures ever; Europe is preparing for harsher conditions

Western Europe continued to reel under an intense heatwave on Tuesday as the UK and France recorded their hottest May temperatures on record, prompting health alerts, weather warnings and several heat-related deaths across the region.

According to DW, the unusually high temperatures were caused by a heat dome that pulled hot air from North Africa into Western Europe, pushing temperatures to levels usually associated with peak summer.

Scientists have repeatedly warned that Europe is warming faster than the global average due to human-caused climate change, resulting in more frequent and severe heat waves.

The UK records its hottest May day on record

The UK recorded its hottest day in May, with temperatures reaching 35C, the Met Office said.

The Met Office also confirmed that temperatures in Kew Gardens, south-west London, touched 34.8°C (94.64°F) on Monday, beating the previous May record by almost two degrees.

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“This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone May,” the Met Office said in a post on X.

London generally experiences average temperatures of around 17°C to 18°C during this period.

The Met Office also said the country had provisionally experienced its warmest May overnight minimum temperatures heading into Tuesday, describing the conditions as a “tropical night”.

Last week, climate advisers warned that the UK was “built for a climate that no longer exists” and urged the government to upgrade infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, to cope with increasingly extreme weather.

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France issues high temperature warning

In Germany, temperatures climbed above 30C for the first time this year on Saturday, and forecasters are predicting even hotter weather in several regions until Wednesday.

Meanwhile, French weather agency Meteo-France said Monday was the “hottest day recorded in the month of May since measurements began” nationwide.

Authorities on Tuesday issued an orange heatwave warning – the country’s second-highest warning level – across northwestern France, with the heat expected to last at least into the weekend.

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On Saturday, Paris recorded the first temperature above 30°C this year, reaching 31.9°C.

A man collapsed and died during a 10-kilometer race in Paris on Sunday, civil defense officials said, although investigators have not confirmed whether heat played a role in the incident.

A woman also died of heat stroke in Lyon after taking part in a competitive fitness race.

French Energy Minister Maud Bregeon said seven deaths had been reported in situations directly or indirectly related to the ongoing heat wave.

Bregeon noted that five of the victims drowned in lakes, rivers or coastal areas.

She added that local authorities have been instructed to implement protective measures for sporting activities and outdoor events.

France has been dealing with above-normal temperatures since Saturday, with an orange alert in place for much of Brittany. Temperatures could reach 36°C on Tuesday afternoon, according to Meteo-France’s forecast.

Spain and Italy are preparing for harsher conditions

Further south, Spain is expected to experience the most extreme conditions later this week, with temperatures likely to approach 40C in some regions, according to national weather agency AEMET.

In Italy, authorities have already restricted outdoor work in several areas due to the heat. Similar curbs were introduced last year as well, although only from May 30.