40 Dead as Record-Shattering Heat Wave Scorches Europe

Temperatures are soaring well over the century mark across Europe this week, prompting local officials to issue dozens of advisories as the dangerous conditions settle in over the continent. Here is a closer look at this extreme heat, the restrictions put in place, and why it is happening.

Record-Breaking Heat Grips Europe

The second heat dome in two months is sending the mercury to over 104 degrees in some parts of Europe. The unseasonably toasty temperatures have led officials to issue heat alerts for dozens of countries from Ireland to Greece.

The conditions are so worrisome that French authorities banned public alcohol consumption at Fête de la musique, an annual music festival that brings millions of people outside to celebrate. The prime minister's office issued a statement detailing that “For ‌all events organized by the state and its agencies, instructions have been given not to offer alcohol."

The ban was in effect for over half of the country's 96 regions that were placed under red heat wave alerts on Sunday. This is the most severe level used by officials. Several communities in France eclipsed the 100-degree threshold over the weekend, with the sweltering conditions persisting into the new week.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu spoke to the media on Tuesday, confirming that at least 40 people have drowned as they tried to seek relief from the searing temperatures. Lecornu said that most of the deaths have happened with young people swimming in unsupervised areas.  

The French government also ordered the closure of over 800 schools because of the relentless heat. At least four locations in France saw new all-time high records for any month of the year on Monday. Other communities broke June records. According to Météo-France, the temperatures are expected to remain elevated through at least Thursday, drawing comparisons to the deadly heat wave of August 2003. This 16-day extreme heat event was blamed for almost 15,000 deaths.

France is not the only part of Europe grappling with the hazardous weather. The United Kingdom is bracing for temperatures to reach at least 102 degrees by Wednesday. The country's Met Office confirmed that this degree of heat would certainly break the all-time heat record for the month of June. This record of 96.08 degrees dates back to 1976. Compounding the issue will be the rising humidity levels, making it feel even steamier.

The Met Office is so concerned about the impending heat that it issued a rare "Red Extreme Heat Warning" for Wednesday and Thursday. In addition to the oppressive humidity, Brits will also be dealing with overnight lows that struggle to fall out of the upper 60s.

The miserable heat has also spread to Spain. Overnight readings bottomed out at 86 degrees on the Almeria coast in the southeastern corner of Spain on Sunday, according to the region's AEMET weather service. A World Cup fan zone in Madrid was forced to close on Sunday because of the dangerous temperatures.

Stubborn Heat Dome to Blame

A persistent heat dome parked over Europe for the second time in as many months is responsible for the miserable conditions. This large zone of high pressure serves as a lid in the atmosphere, pushing hot air down and not allowing it to escape. It is no surprise to learn another heat dome has parked itself over the continent just as El Niño begins to emerge in the equatorial Pacific. This climate phase inherently raises the odds of heat extremes in all corners of the planet.

While temperatures in the 90s for a few days may not seem particularly worrisome to Americans, it is important to note that only about 20% of homes in Europe are equipped with air conditioning. This compares to about 90% of homes in the U.S.

The U.K.'s Royal Meteorological Society recently detailed that this latest surge of heat marks two straight months in which the temperatures have come in at well over 3.6 degrees above average. This statistic suggests that the recent heat wave is not just an anomaly. Instead, it is a sign of the times.

Unlike weather disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires that grab all of the headlines, extreme heat is often referred to as the silent killer. The lack of startling images translates to people not taking the threat seriously. However, heat is recognized by both climatologists and public health officials as the deadliest type of extreme weather event. This is particularly true when the daytime highs pair with elevated humidity levels.

Climatologists have been sounding the alarm bell for years, warning that heat and humidity levels around the world are reaching magnitudes that are challenging for humans. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), extreme temperatures have killed over 200,000 people over the last four years.

These types of weather events are destined to become more commonplace as global warming intensifies. Human activities, including an increased reliance on fossil fuels, are driving climate change. As the atmosphere fills with heat, it is natural that this will translate to overall warmer temperatures across the board.

For now, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is warning residents that the next few days will pose "serious health risks."  Mary Friel, the IFRC’s senior climate policy officer, said that “For thousands of people across Europe, extreme temperatures, without action, can quickly become a matter of life and death."