EUROPE has been hit by a sweltering, “danger to life” heat wave with parts of France expected to reach up to 45C.
Blanket red warnings have been triggered across the continent as several nations roast under a massive “heat dome”.
A woman cools off in a fountain in Ronda, southern Spain Credit: AFP
People play in a fountain at the Andre Citroen park as temperatures soar in Paris Credit: Reuters
Some 845 schools have been shut across France which will see the worst of the weather.
Another 1,800 schools are allowing children to leave early from their lessons.
A primary school teacher in Bordeaux said: “Last week, it was 32C in the classroom for the children.
“It’s only going to get worse.”
People struggle in the heat while attending the annual Fete de la Musique in Paris Credit: Getty
A man walks past a thermometer reading 40 degrees in Seville, Spain Credit: Getty
Highs of more than 40C are expected across parts of western France today, with temperatures expected to hit 42C in Bordeaux, forecaster Météo-France said.
The French government has
It comes after 13 people, including a 13-year-old girl, drowned in just 48 hours at the weekend.
The spike in temperatures is being driven by a mass of hot air moving north from the Sahara.
A person cools off at a water mister on a street in Paris as France swelters Credit: Reuters
A high pressure system known as the ‘African cyclone’ has created what Meteorologists describe as a “heat dome”, the Daily Mail reports.
The system means hot air has become trapped above Europe as temperatures skyrocket.
Over in Spain, parts of the centre and northeast are set to blast past 40C today.
Authorities have issued a swathe of orange and red weather warnings across the Iberian Peninsula and Mallorca.
Over the weekend, Madrid authorities cancelled a public screening of Spain’s World Cup match against Saudi Arabia on Sunday amid health fears.
Temperatures are predicted to reach 37C in Rome where Pilgrims in St Peter’s Square tried to shield themselves from the blazing sun as the Pope led a traditional Sunday prayer.
In the city’s Piazza Venezia people sought out public water fountains ina desperate attempt to cool off.
Elsewhere in Germany, hot weather is turning to thunderstorms with heavy rain already blighting eastern regions.
Stormy conditions disrupted the open‑air Fête de la Musique festival in Berlin.
And the Berlin Open had to be evacuated
The heatwave is expected to last until Thursday across Europe.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
