Seven people have died in France as an extreme early-summer heatwave sweeps across western Europe, setting record-high temperatures for May in France and the UK, with forecasts predicting further increases on Tuesday.
Heat-Related Deaths Reported
French government spokesperson Maud Bregeon confirmed the deaths on TF1 television, stating that five were drownings and two occurred during sporting events. The fatalities are linked to the heatwave that has gripped the region.
Météo France, the national weather agency, reported that Monday's highest temperature of 37.1°C was recorded near Hossegor in the southwestern department of Les Landes. Temperatures across western France could exceed 36°C on Tuesday. Monday was declared "the hottest day measured for the month of May since records began," with a national average temperature of 24.4°C, surpassing the previous record of 23.7°C set in 1944.
UK and Spain Also Affected
The UK's Met Office confirmed Monday as the country's hottest May day on record, with temperatures reaching 34.8°C at Kew Gardens in southwest London. The reading was described as "exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone May."
In Spain, the state weather service Aemet forecast widespread highs of 36-38°C in the Guadiana, Guadalquivir, and Ebro valleys, possibly lasting until Friday, with some areas potentially reaching 40°C.
Restrictions and Warnings in Place
In Italy's Lazio region, which includes Rome, authorities have restricted work involving prolonged sun exposure, such as farming, construction, and delivery services, between 12:30 PM and 4 PM.
Eight of France's 96 administrative departments are on an orange high-temperature alert, the second-highest level, urging the population to "be vigilant and take precautions." Another 20 departments are on a moderate yellow warning. This marks the first time the national heat warning system has been activated in May since its introduction in 2004.
Climate Scientists Weigh In
Climate scientist Christophe Cassou described the event as unprecedented, with a one in 1,000 chance of occurring in May under the climate of 1979 to 2025. "It would have been virtually impossible in the pre-industrial era," he told Le Monde.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called a meeting of key ministers on Thursday to assess government preparations for heatwaves after more than 350 weather stations across France recorded new monthly highs on Monday.
Forecast and Long-Term Trends
Forecasters expect more records to be set in France, Spain, and the UK on Tuesday, with temperatures exceeding norms by 12-13°C. Météo France described the heat episode as "premature, remarkable, and long," expected to last several more days. The agency attributed the event to a heat dome, where hot air from Morocco is trapped under an area of high pressure, and warned that such events will "occur more and more often, earlier and earlier, and be more and more intense."
Models estimate that June heatwaves are now about 10 times more likely in Europe than in the pre-industrial era, with a similar trend emerging for May. "This extension of the heatwave season is entirely characteristic of the effects of climate change," said climate researcher Robert Vautard. "Eventually, we will be seeing similar heat events in April and October."
Specific Incidents and Response
Two deaths on Sunday were directly attributed to the heat: a woman competing in a Hyrox fitness competition in Lyon died of hyperthermia, and a 53-year-old man suffered a heart attack during a 10km running race in Paris. Sixteen people were hospitalized, including 10 in critical condition, during another road race in the Paris suburb of Maisons-Alfort. Three teenagers drowned in swimming accidents over the weekend.
High temperatures drove many to beaches and rivers to cool off, even though lifeguard supervision does not start until July in most areas. While parts of the UK are entering a heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 26-28°C for three consecutive days, France requires night-time temperatures to remain above a certain level for an official heatwave declaration.
