A significant heat event is sweeping across western Europe, with temperatures forecast to rise more than 10°C above the seasonal norm. New May records are expected in possibly hundreds of locations as the region braces for its first major heatwave of the summer.
Temperature Forecasts Across Affected Countries
Portugal, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom are expected to see temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F) starting Friday and continuing into next week. Paris and London could reach 32°C, while southwestern France may hit 35°C. In Spain, the Guadiana and Guadalquivir regions could see highs up to 38°C.
France: Unprecedented Heat for May
Météo-France has warned that both maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to reach unprecedented levels for the season, particularly in the southwest. The forecaster stated that records are almost certain to be set for the highest May temperature in France (currently 30.5°C in 2025) and the highest average temperature for a May day (22.8°C in 2017). Cities such as Nantes and Brest may see temperatures exceed previous records by three or four degrees.
The exceptional heat is attributed to a heat dome, where hot air from Morocco is trapped under high pressure from a powerful anticyclone. Météo-France noted that temperatures in Brittany are particularly remarkable for early pre-summer, potentially surpassing existing records by three or more degrees.
Climate breakdown means that Europe, the fastest-warming continent globally, can expect such exceptional heat events more frequently, earlier in the year, and with greater intensity.
United Kingdom: Heat Health Alerts Issued
The Met Office has issued extraordinary heat health alerts for the weekend. Temperatures could reach 33°C locally on Monday, exceeding the current May record of 32.8°C set in 1944. Parts of the UK may also experience a heatwave, with temperatures above 26°C to 28°C (depending on location) for three consecutive days.
Spain: Full-On Summer Heat
In Spain, temperatures already reached 38°C on Thursday. A tragic incident occurred in Galicia, where a two-year-old girl died after being accidentally left in her father's car for hours. The state meteorological office, Aemet, expects the hot spell to extend well into next week, potentially setting new May records.
Aemet spokesperson Rubén del Campo described the situation as full-on summer heat, with temperatures between 5°C and 10°C above the seasonal average. In northern regions, temperatures could be 10°C above average, resembling typical July and August conditions.
Heatwave Definitions and Comparisons
While parts of the UK may meet heatwave criteria (three consecutive days above 26-28°C), France requires nighttime temperatures to remain above a certain threshold for an official declaration. Spain demands temperatures reaching high summer levels.
The heatwave is expected to persist into next week, with Europe bracing for more frequent and intense heat events due to climate change.
