PARIS — France has issued red heatwave alerts for around half the country including Paris for Monday as a heatwave pushes temperatures toward record levels.
A heat wave gripping western Europe is forecast to strengthen this week, with days of dangerously hot and humid conditions and record-breaking temperatures in France, the UK, Spain and Germany.
The heat — driven by a high-pressure heat dome and supported by a developing El Niño — has caused widespread disruptions, with school closures in France and a World Cup viewing party canceled in Spain.
Highs of more than 40C (104F) are expected across parts of western France on Monday, with the mercury expected to hit 43C in Bordeaux, according to weather forecaster Météo-France.
Some 845 schools have been shut for the day, while a further 1,800 are allowing pupils to finish classes early, according to the French ministry of education.
The national weather service, Meteo France, said that most of the country — the largest in the European Union and second most populated — is entering what is described as a “plateau” of unrelenting heat-wave conditions that isn’t forecast to start easing before Friday at the earliest.
In a country without widespread air conditioning, people, businesses and services tried to adapt as best they could.
Broadcasts on the Paris transport network urged commuters to hydrate. Medical specialists took to the airwaves to warn against drinking alcohol in extreme heat.
Multiple drownings were reported as people sought relief in rivers, despite warnings about currents and other dangers.
Forty-nine of France’s 96 regions are under a red heat alert while dozens of other regions are under an orange alert, with an estimated 63 million people in total affected across the country.
In the south-west Gironde region, local authorities on Sunday said three people aged between 80 and 95 years had died, partly due to the intense heat.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist told French public broadcaster TV1 Info on Monday that many “fellow citizens will suffer” during the hot weather, and called on people to keep a “close eye” on relatives and neighbors.
While the hottest temperatures are expected on the western coast, highs are expected to hang around 36C to 40C across much of the rest of the country, Météo-France said.
The forecaster warned that the heatwave will be “widespread, long-lasting and intense” — with temperatures not expected to drop until the end of the week.
The country’s national railway operator SNCF urged “vulnerable” people to avoid or postpone train travel this week, while in Paris, several train lines reduced their services on Monday due to the heat.
Belgium’s train operator also announced some peak hour trains would be cancelled for Monday and Tuesday.
Record high temperatures are also expected across Europe, with Madrid forecast to hit 39C while in Italy, it’s predicted to hit 37C in Rome.
Forecasts for unusually warm temperatures continue through July, making this only an early summer test for the world’s fastest-warming continent.
Source: Saudi Gazette