Red warnings due to extreme heat have been issued in France, Spain, and other countries of Western and Central Europe, while meteorologists announce that the heatwave will additionally intensify in the coming days, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some areas.

More than half of French regions are currently under the highest level of warning. Hundreds of schools received orders to suspend classes, while as much as 42 degrees was measured in Bordeaux on Monday, the national meteorological service Meteo-France announced.

In the town of Carpentras in the south of France, the bodies of two children, aged two and four, were found in a family car. The authorities are investigating the case, and the tragedy is being linked to the extreme heat.

The highest level of warning due to high temperatures has also been introduced in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.

Meteorologists state that the rise in temperatures was caused by hot air masses moving from the Sahara region towards the north of Europe, additionally trapping heat over the affected regions. Experts warn that this could be one of the longest heatwaves in the last few years.

Scientists point out that increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves are one of the clear indicators of global warming. According to data from the Meteo-France service, out of 51 recorded heatwaves in France since 1947, as many as 34 occurred after 2000, and 26 after 2011.

The peak of the heat is yet to come

The peak of the heatwave in many parts of Europe is expected on Wednesday, and a temperature of as much as 41 degrees Celsius is forecast in Paris.

In the French capital, certain railway lines were already operating on a reduced schedule on Monday. The national railway operator SNCF appealed to the elderly, chronically ill, and other risk groups to, if possible, postpone train travel during this week.

According to data from the Ministry of Education, 845 schools across France have been closed, while an additional 1,800 institutions allowed students to finish classes early due to the extreme heat. At the same time, more than a million high school students were supposed to take the oral part of the final graduation exam despite the high temperatures.

The red alarm due to heat represents the highest level of warning issued by the meteorological service Meteo-France. Such a warning implies that weather conditions can represent a serious, and even life-threatening danger, which is why maximum caution is advised to citizens.

In addition, dozens of other French regions are under an orange warning, the second-highest level of alert. Estimates show that a total of about 63 million people in France are affected by the current heatwave.

Tragedies and authorities’ warnings

The circumstances of the death of two children found in a family car in the south of France have not yet been fully clarified. According to information so far, they were returning from shopping with their mother when they reportedly became trapped in a closed vehicle with the windows up, while the outside temperature reached 39 degrees Celsius.

Emergency medical teams attempted resuscitation of the children, but without success.

The local prosecutor announced that the exact cause of death has not yet been determined, but that it is “most likely related to the heatwave.”

French authorities have meanwhile appealed to citizens not to seek refreshment at unsecure swimming sites, such as lakes and rivers, after 13 deaths due to drowning were recorded over the weekend.

In the southwestern region of Gironde, local authorities announced on Sunday that three people, aged between 80 and 95, passed away partly due to the consequences of extreme heat.

The current heatwave followed a weekend during which temperatures in parts of France reached 40 degrees Celsius. Because of this, authorities introduced a ban on alcohol consumption at events within the traditional Fete de la Musique festival, a national celebration that gathers large crowds of people on the streets of French cities every year.

The ban applied to all events organized by the state and its institutions, and the goal was to relieve emergency and health services so that medical staff could dedicate themselves to the most vulnerable citizens, the government announced.

Although the highest temperatures are expected on the western coast of the country, the meteorological service Meteo-France states that in most of France, maximum daily temperatures will range between 36 and 40 degrees.

Meteorologists warn that the heatwave will be “widespread, long-lasting, and intense,” and that a more significant cooling is not expected before the end of the week.

What is the situation in the rest of Europe?

The Spanish meteorological service Aemet warned that temperatures until Wednesday will be “exceptionally high for this time of year,” meaning between five and ten degrees above average. Up to 44 degrees is expected in some areas. A red warning has been issued for the Basque Country, while a temperature of 40 degrees is forecast in San Sebastian, almost twice as high as usual for the end of June.

Italy has issued a red alarm for 12 cities, among which are Milan, Turin, Venice, Bologna, Florence, and Rome, after several days during which temperatures exceeded 35 degrees.

In Germany, five people lost their lives in swimming accidents over the weekend, while temperatures in parts of the country reached 38 degrees.

The British meteorological service issued a rare red warning for parts of England and Wales for Wednesday and Thursday, with forecasts that the temperature could reach 38 degrees.

Firefighters are fighting a large forest fire near the town of Akraifnio in central Greece, which led to the temporary closure of one of the main highways due to high temperatures, dry weather, and strong winds.

The Belgian Meteorological Institute IRM announced the possibility of breaking temperature records during the coming week. At the same time, the national railway operator announced that certain trains during the morning and afternoon rush hours will be canceled due to extreme heat.

Germany appeals for water conservation

Due to the heatwave in Germany, utility companies in Munich appealed to the population to use drinking water sparingly.

“Compared to a normal June day, water consumption in Munich is currently about 20 percent higher. This situation is at the same time an opportunity to appeal for responsible water use and avoid unnecessary consumption,” stated a spokesperson for Munich utility companies, reports Spiegel.

Residents of Munich were advised to refrain from excessive watering of gardens and lawns, to temporarily not fill swimming pools and children’s pools, as well as to avoid washing cars.

At the same time, the authorities emphasize that these recommendations do not apply to fluid intake, but on the contrary – citizens are advised to drink enough water and take care of hydration during the period of extreme heat.

Orange meteo alarm announced due to wave of extreme heat

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) issued an orange meteo warning for extreme heat for all provinces except Friesland, Drenthe, and Groningen, where a yellow meteo alarm will remain in effect, local media reported today.

The KNMI announced that the orange meteo alarm is being introduced because a temperature of at least 34 degrees Celsius is expected for three consecutive days, reports the portal Holland Times.

“At these temperatures, anyone can experience health difficulties related to the heat, such as dehydration and overheating. The elderly, people with existing health problems, and those performing physically demanding jobs are considered particularly vulnerable,” the KNMI statement said, explaining that the warning applies to everyone.

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Source: Euronews; Photo: Printscreen X

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