Key points
- Heat wave has brought record temperatures in Europe
- Temperatures are likely to rise to as high as 42 degrees Celsius in Seville
- Southeastern France is also experiencing extreme heat
ISLAMABAD: Forecasters were warning of dangerous temperatures in Central Europe on Thursday, as the extreme heat that has stifled the western part of the continent began to move east, according to The New York Times.
The newspaper reported that the heat wave that started over a week ago has brought record temperatures and unbearable conditions for many people in Europe, especially those working outdoors. Four people have died in Spain, which, along with France, bore the brunt of the severe conditions at the start of the week, The New York Times reported.
While temperatures in Spain had eased slightly on Thursday, the mercury was rising in countries in Central and Eastern Europe, prompting health ministries and weather agencies to issue alerts. Wildfires continued to remain a threat in Greece, as hot and dry conditions persisted.
Temperatures were likely to rise to as high as 42 degrees Celsius, or 108 degrees Fahrenheit, in Seville on Thursday. However, a sharp decrease in temperatures was likely in the southwestern third of the peninsula and to a lesser extent, in the eastern third.
“Record for June”
Earlier in the week, AEMET, Spain’s state meteorological agency, recorded temperatures that climbed above 109 degrees Fahrenheit, or 43 Celsius. The mercury reached 114.8 Fahrenheit, or 46 degrees Celsius, on Saturday in El Granado, in the southwest — a national record for June.
Italy’s health ministry put 18 cities — including Rome and Milan — under the highest-level heat alert on Thursday, which signals emergency heat conditions that pose health risks, even to healthy and active individuals.
Météo-France, the national weather service, said the temperature rose to just over 40 degrees Celsius (over 104 Fahrenheit) in Mourmelon-le-Grand on Wednesday — the highest of the day in France. But temperatures cooled overnight, bringing some respite for most of the country after days of extreme heat, according to The New York Times.
“Unusual heat”
Southeastern France was still experiencing extreme heat, however, with forecasters predicting highs of up to 36 degrees Celsius, or 97 Fahrenheit.
Parts of southern Austria remained under a red warning for extreme heat stress for a second consecutive day on Thursday, with temperatures expected to climb to as high as 38 Celsius, or roughly 100 Fahrenheit. However, forecasters predicted some relief would come on Friday, when temperatures were expected to fall slightly.
Some parts of Germany were already beginning to cool on Thursday after experiencing highs of up to 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit, in places.
Temperatures are well above seasonal norms, according to the New York Times. Temperatures in Tor Vergata, a southeastern suburb of Rome, for instance, were above 106 degrees on Wednesday afternoon. Summers in Rome typically experience average highs of 86 degrees Fahrenheit, the paper reported. Meteorologists say that Europe should expect more and hotter heat waves as a result of climate change.
