Europe shatters May heat records as temperatures soar to 37.8C
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Europe shatters May heat records as Portugal hits 40.3C
Follow-upEurope shatters May heat records as temperatures soar to 37.8C
UK shatters May heat record as Europe faces deadly early-summer scorcher
Follow-up
Europe shatters May heat records as temperatures soar to 37.8°C in France, triggering emergency alerts and fatalities across the continent. Météo France confirms today as the peak of an unprecedented late-May heatwave, with Angoulême hitting 37.8°C—surpassing the previous May record—while Perpignan (37.2°C), Bordeaux (36.6°C), and Niort (36°C) also set new benchmarks. Seventeen French departments, including Paris, remain under orange heatwave alerts, with authorities warning the extreme conditions will persist through the weekend .
The heatwave’s toll is already deadly. At least 14 deaths have been reported across Western Europe, including nine in the UK—where authorities link fatalities to cold-water shock from swimming in lakes and rivers—and others in France from heatstroke and drowning. Portugal matched France’s extremes, breaking its own May record on Wednesday, while Italy and Spain face similar conditions .
Emergency measures are escalating. A school in Soustons, Landes, closed after its glass roof registered 53°C, while French officials urge reduced physical activity, though some Parisians continue outdoor workouts despite risks. Health experts warn the heat exacerbates allergies, with stagnant air and prolonged pollen seasons intensifying symptoms for vulnerable groups .
The heatwave aligns with broader climate warnings. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization projects the next five years will likely see record global temperatures, with Arctic warming outpacing other regions. A developing *Super El Niño* may further disrupt weather patterns, though its direct link to Europe’s current extremes remains under study . Meanwhile, Germany’s *Tageszeitung* notes France’s improved community response to heatwaves, citing better checks on elderly residents compared to past crises .
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