Heatwave in Europe: temperatures above 35° to affect 94 million people, WHO warns of threat

The heatwave that has gripped Europe has become worse than some scientific forecasts feared, said Jim Skea, head of the UN group of climate experts, on Wednesday, warning that the continent will undoubtedly face more extreme events as the planet warms, reports UNN citing AFP, which calculated that temperatures above 35°C+ in Europe on Wednesday were forecast for at least 94 million people.

Details

"Inevitably, we will experience more of what we have observed over the past few days," said Jim Skea, head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, to journalists.

Heat threatens health - WHO

"The heat in Europe is closing schools and threatening people's health," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, on social media.

"We cannot afford further delays. Leaders must prioritize investment in climate-resilient health systems, as well as accelerate climate action and mitigate the drivers of the climate crisis," he stressed.

Above 35°C+ for 94 million

At least 94 million people in Europe are expected to experience temperatures above 35°C on Wednesday, most of them in France and Spain, according to AFP calculations.

Maximum temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C for over 350 million people across Europe (excluding Turkey), representing nearly two-thirds of the population, according to an analysis based on forecasts from the German Meteorological Service and 2025 population projections from the Joint Research Centre.

Red danger level declared in the UK

On Wednesday morning, a rare red danger level due to extreme heat came into effect in parts of the UK. The country's meteorological service forecasts temperatures that could reach 40°C, unprecedented for this time of year.

The red warning for "extreme heat" for Wednesday and Thursday covers parts of central and southern England, including London and Birmingham, the two largest cities in the UK.

Oral exams postponed in France

About 10,000 of the 130,000 candidates taking the baccalaureate exam had their oral exams postponed this week in France, said the country's Education Minister, Edouard Geffray.

First major power outage in France

Record heat left about 68,000 households without electricity in northwestern France on Wednesday, authorities reported, marking the first major power outage in the country during the recent period of extreme weather.

The outage, caused by a transformer disconnection in the power grid, was linked to extreme temperatures and caused no injuries, according to a statement from the prefecture of the coastal department of Finistère.

Belgium's Atomium operating on reduced hours

One of Belgium's most famous landmarks, the futuristic Atomium in Brussels, made of steel, will close to visitors earlier from Wednesday to Friday to avoid operating during the hottest part of the day, its management announced.

Stellantis workers leaving work early

Workers at the Stellantis Jeep manufacturing facility near the French city of Mulhouse said they are finishing their shifts early from Tuesday to Sunday to protest working conditions during the hot weather.

Hottest day recorded in France

Tuesday saw the hottest day in France since records began in 1947, the national meteorological agency reported.

The national temperature indicator – the average of daytime and nighttime temperatures at 30 stations – reached 29.8°C, Meteo-France reported, citing preliminary data.

The previous record was 29.4°C, recorded on July 25, 2019, and August 5, 2003.

And the French city of Nantes, as The Guardian notes, is currently one of the hottest, if not the hottest, places in Europe, with 41°C recorded there.

Eiffel Tower and Louvre closing early

In Paris, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, two of the world's most visited tourist attractions, announced early closures due to the heat.

Another usually crowded French landmark, the stunning island of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, urged visitors to "postpone your visit during the red danger period."

Red danger level for 16 cities in Italy

Italy's Ministry of Health declared a "red danger level" for 16 cities on Wednesday, affecting major cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence, and Turin, reports AP.

Temperatures could reach highs of 41°C in Florence and 38°C in Milan, while in Rome and Naples, temperatures are forecast to remain below 36°C.

Forecast above 40°C in Austria

Austria's meteorological service on Wednesday issued its highest heat warning level for the weekend and Monday for the east of the country, including the capital Vienna, as well as several cities in the south, warning that temperatures could rise above 40°C.

The service advised people to take precautions, such as staying indoors during the hottest hours of the day.