An ‘Unprecedented’ Early Summer Heatwave Grips Europe as Scientists Warn More Are on the Way

Europeans are bracing for an intense early-summer heatwave, with record-breaking temperatures forecast in parts of France and Germany before the weekend — less than a year after the region’s last extreme heatwave. Temperatures are expected to break 104°F in much of western Europe, far outstripping the comfortable weather normally enjoyed in the region at this time of year. The warmest temperatures are expected on Thursday and Friday. But 51 German weather stations have already recorded temperatures never seen before in June, the World Meteorological Organization said Wednesday. French news station LCI says temperatures in France will be 57 – 64°F higher than the average for June over the coming days. “We’re talking about an exceptional, even unprecedented heatwave,” says Guillaume Woznica, a meteorologist at LCI. “Temperatures are going to be near 104°F for most of the country and because it’s arriving at a particularly humid time of the year, it feels particularly unpleasant.” France’s national weather agency, Météo-France predicts a peak of 113°F is forecast in the southern towns of Nîmes and Carpentras on Friday. The highest temperature ever recorded in France was 111°F, during a heatwave in August 2003. The record for June was of 107°F, set in the same year. That 2003 heatwave killed 15,000 people in France and authorities are urging the public to take the heat seriou...
Source: TIME: Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Uncategorized climate change onetime weather Source Type: news