The mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, urged residents to slow down and take precautions on Thursday as a deadly heatwave continued to grip large parts of Western Europe, claiming dozens of lives, disrupting power supplies, and forcing the closure of schools and cultural landmarks.
Record Temperatures Scorch France and Britain
Paris faced another sweltering day after the French capital hit a June record of 40.9 degrees Celsius (105.6 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday. Britain also logged its highest temperature for June on Wednesday, reaching 36.1°C in southern England, as an early summer heat dome hovered over much of Western Europe.
Shift in At-Risk Demographics
France implemented a number of measures against heatwaves after one in 2003 caused nearly 15,000 excess deaths, with the elderly the hardest hit. This time, younger people have become a particular concern. “The profile of people currently facing health risks is not necessarily what one might expect — that is, the most vulnerable, because they are closely monitored and well informed,” Gregoire said on broadcaster TF1. “Rather, it’s people aged between 50 and 70 who are generally in good health, but who think this is just a normal period and continue going about their usual activities as if nothing has changed. Really, protect yourselves,” he added.
Drowning Deaths and Heat-Related Incidents
At least 48 people have died in France from drowning since the start of the heatwave while trying to cool off, authorities said. Two young children were killed by heat in a car. In Italy, Health Minister Orazio Schillaci called a meeting to address risks after Italian media reported five heat-related deaths on Wednesday. The victims included two farmers in the northern provinces of Lodi and Piacenza, another man at a cemetery in the northern town of Pavia, a worker in the northeastern city of Padua, and a homeless man in the southern city of Naples.
Air Conditioning Demand Booms
Changes introduced in France since the 2003 heatwave included checking on the elderly regularly and offering those in retirement homes the chance to spend several hours a day in an air-conditioned room. Air conditioning remains relatively rare in Europe, but Asian manufacturers such as South Korea's Samsung Electronics, China's Midea, and Japan's Mitsubishi Electric are enjoying a boom in sales, with strong demand from countries like France, Spain, and Italy.
Omega Block Drives Extreme Heat
The heatwave is driven by a weather pattern known as an Omega block, pushing temperatures as much as 18°C above normal, according to the Reuters Climate Monitor. The phenomenon resembles the shape of the Greek letter Omega, with a bulbous middle trapping heat over regions for extended periods while cooler weather persists on its fringes. Heatwaves and storms are being intensified by climate change.
Forecast: Relief for France, Torrid Weekend for Others
France's weather agency said an end to the heatwave was in sight, with temperatures set to gradually decrease on Friday. However, Germany, Austria, and Italy looked set for a torrid weekend. Germany's National Meteorological Service issued extreme heat warnings for a large area of western Germany, with temperatures expected to rise to 38°C on Thursday and 41°C on Friday and Saturday. National rail operator Deutsche Bahn offered customers the chance to cancel their journeys due to the heat. In Austria, the national weather service issued a red heat warning for the northeast, including Vienna, this weekend, when the temperature in the capital could hit a record 40°C. The hottest conditions for Italy are forecast between Saturday and Monday, with temperatures reaching up to 40°C — well above seasonal norms — particularly across northern plains and inland central areas.
