Records fall in European heatwave

A vast and intense heatwave is under way in Europe as an unusually strong area of high pressure, also known as a “heat dome”, tightens its grip across much of the continent.

It is similar in its causes, but in many ways more intense, than the heatwave that hit much of Europe late last month and earlier this month.

Since peak summer temperatures typically occur in mid-July, it’s difficult to set all-time records during this time. But such records are falling, which shows the historical magnitude of this extreme weather event.

Already yesterday, some all-time high-temperature records had fallen across France.

In Bourdeaux, for example, the high reached at least 41.2C, breaking the all-time record for that location by nearly a full degree, according to Meteo France meteorologist Ettiene Kapikian.

In Paris, the city’s all-time heat record was expected to fall today or tomorrow, if temperatures exceed 40.4C. That record has stood since 1947. Current forecasts show a high of 42C in Paris tomorrow.

Computer model projections show that the heatwave, known in French as la canicule, could last through until Saturday in Paris and much of the rest of France.

London’s hottest temperature record of 38.1C is also in jeopardy tomorrow.

In Portugal and Spain, the hot, dry conditions are escalating the risk of wildfires, and some large blazes were already burning when the heatwave boosted temperatures further.

This heatwave is not limited to the westernmost countries in Europe, either. The heat dome responsible for it, which is drawing up air from the Sahara Desert and sending it surging northeastward into continental Europe, will expand north and east, eventually setting up shop as one of the most intense such weather features on record over Scandinavia.

Temperatures in Sweden and Norway are forecast to soar by the weekend.

The widespread heatwave is tied to ongoing weather events as well as long-term, human-caused climate change.