Hot African air brings scorching heat, dust to Europe

MADRID — Hot air from Africa is bringing a new heat wave to Europe, prompting health warnings about Sahara Desert dust and exceptionally high temperatures that are forecast to peak at 47 C (116.6 F) in some southern areas.

The torrid weather meant that public services were put on alert in Spain and Portugal. Temperatures were forecast to reach 44 C (111 F) Thursday in the Portuguese city of Evora, 130 kilometres (81 miles) east of the capital of Lisbon, and in the Spanish province of Badajoz, across the border.

A hot air mass was moving northward from Africa, authorities said, warning that the mercury could peak at 47 C this weekend in the Portuguese town of Beja.

Portuguese authorities issued a nationwide health warning, including for dust from the Sahara Desert. Warnings were issued for 40 of Spain’s 50 provinces.

Up north in Sweden, the country’s official tallest point is set to change amid record temperatures.

Scientists said a glacier on Mount Kebne, the Scandinavian country’s highest peak at 2,111 metres (6,925 feet, 10 inches), is melting and is no longer Sweden’s tallest point.

Gunhild Rosqvist, a Stockholm University professor of geography, said the glacier lost four meters (13 feet, 2 1/2 inches) of snow in July alone as Sweden endured record temperatures that triggered dozens of wildfires, even in the Arctic Circle.

In neighbouring Finland, a supermarket offered patrons a cool place to sleep.