Historic temperature records are being broken across Europe as large parts of the continent are hit by an intense heatwave that arrived unusually early in the year.

Europe is facing a powerful “heat dome” — a persistent high-pressure system acting like a lid, trapping hot air and pushing it downward. Scientists point out that the phenomenon is being intensified by human-caused climate change, making heatwaves more frequent and more severe.

According to forecasts, a slight easing is expected today and tomorrow, with temperatures remaining high but dropping somewhat. At the same time, warnings have been issued for thunderstorms in parts of Britain and France and for hailstorms in Italy.

In the United Kingdom, Monday was recorded as the hottest May day in the country’s history, with temperatures reaching 34.8°C at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London — two full degrees above the previous record. Normally, temperature records are broken only by a few tenths of a degree.

The record was broken again on Tuesday, when temperatures reached 35°C. The average maximum temperature for London in late May is around 20°C.

As temperatures climbed on Monday, a wildfire broke out near Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland, while hundreds of homes in southeast England were left without water because of increased demand. At the same time, ten people lost their lives by drowning while trying to cool off in lakes and rivers.

Sunset brought little relief in Britain, as “tropical nights” were recorded, with temperatures not falling below 20°C. Although such temperatures may not be considered extreme in other parts of the world, in the UK they cause serious discomfort and public health risks, since most homes are not built to withstand heat and only 5% have air conditioning.

The UK Climate Change Committee recently warned that the country “was built for a climate that no longer exists.”

“Although we occasionally experience warm periods in May, what we are seeing now is unprecedented,” said Stephen Dixon of the UK Met Office, noting that climate change is significantly increasing the likelihood of new temperature records. “What used to be considered a once-in-100-years event now happens roughly once every 33 years,” he said.

“Unprecedented” heatwave in France, tropical nights in Paris

Britain is not the only country struggling. Large parts of western Europe are experiencing temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal seasonal levels.

In France, the meteorological service Météo-France described the heatwave as “unprecedented” for this time of year, while Monday was the hottest May day ever recorded in the country.

The high temperatures have already had deadly consequences. According to French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon, seven deaths linked directly or indirectly to the heatwave have been recorded, including five drownings and incidents during sporting events.

On Sunday, a 53-year-old man died during a running race in Paris, while a woman lost her life during a Hyrox sports event in Lyon.

French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari said the deaths were “a harsh reminder that exercising in extreme heat requires absolute caution.”

In Paris, nighttime temperatures did not fall below 20°C at the city’s official weather station in Parc Montsouris, with the lowest reading reaching 20.2°C before dawn. In other areas of the French capital, such as Saint-Germain, temperatures remained above 23°C. Under normal conditions, average temperatures in Paris at this time of year only slightly exceed 20°C during the daytime.

As of Thursday afternoon, an orange heatwave alert came into force for Paris and its suburbs, while 17 French departments are under heightened alert.

Temperatures in southern France are approaching 40°C, while across most of the country readings range from 32°C to 35°C.

Rome and three other Italian cities on red alert, Spain also “burning”

In Italy, the Health Ministry placed Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Turin under red alert because of the heatwave. Authorities warned that conditions pose a threat not only to vulnerable groups but even to healthy citizens.

Similarly, Spain is facing “exceptionally high temperatures for the season,” according to the meteorological agency AEMET, with temperatures in parts of the country — such as Bilbao in the Basque Country — exceeding 40°C today.

Scientists stress that extreme heat is one of the clearest signs of the climate crisis. Greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels act like a “blanket” around Earth, gradually raising the planet’s temperature.

“We know without any doubt that heatwaves like this have become more likely and more intense because of climate change,” said Peter Thorne, director of the ICARUS Climate Research Centre at Maynooth University in Ireland. “Even so, many of the records being broken now, especially in the United Kingdom and France, are truly astonishing,” he added.

More than 62,000 people died last year

The consequences are already dramatic. More than 62,000 people in Europe died from heat-related causes during 2024, the hottest year ever recorded.

At the same time, the United Nations warns that global temperatures will remain at historically high levels through 2030. According to the World Meteorological Organization, there is a 75% chance that the average global temperature during the 2026–2030 period will exceed pre-industrial levels by more than 1.5°C.

In addition, experts estimate that the El Niño phenomenon, expected to strengthen toward the end of 2026, could lead to even hotter years both this year and in 2027.