Europe's deadly spring heatwave is obliterating temperature records

A spring heatwave across western Europe has broken many temperature records. In the U.K., temperatures exceeded previous records by several degrees, and the heat has been linked to 11 deaths, including two teenage boys who died in separate water incidents while seeking relief. Satellite monitoring shows land surface temperatures well above 30 C across parts of Europe, including major cities such as Madrid and Paris. In the U.K., 23 weather stations reported temperatures above the previous record of 32.8 C set in 1922 and 1945, and Kew Gardens recorded 35.1 C, surpassing its prior monthly record. In France, at least seven deaths have been tied to the conditions, with May 26 as the hottest May day on record and later peaks near 40 C in some regions.

"The gravity of the situation can be seen in an image captured by the European Space Agency's Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite, which is used to monitor land surface temperatures, on May 26. The areas in red are indicative of temperatures well in excess of 30 C (86 F), and include major European cities, such as Madrid and Paris. The heatwave has broken a remarkable number of records for temperature, the U.K.'s Met Office says."

"Some 23 weather stations across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland reporting temperatures exceeding the previous record of 32.8 Celsius (about 91 degrees Fahrenheit) set in 1922 and 1945. London's Kew Gardens' research station recorded temperatures of 35.1 C (95.2 F) on Tuesday, obliterating its previous record for the month of 29.3 C (about 85 F)."

"At least seven other deaths in France, five from drowning, have also been tied to the sweltering conditions. May 26 was the hottest May weather in the country's history, according to the French national weather service, with an average temperature of 24.9 Celsius (76.8 F). Two days later, daytime highs peaked at almost 40 C (104 F) in several regions. Such high temperatures have never been recorded in May since records began, Meteo France said in a statement."

"The heat has caused at 11 deaths in the U.K. alone: On Thursday, two teenage boys died in separate water incidents while seeking reprieve from temperatures that beat the previous records by several degrees in portions of the country."

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