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Unprecedented May heatwave grips Europe, shattering London records
🇬🇷 Greece /Disasters & Emergencies

Unprecedented May heatwave grips Europe, shattering London records

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Europe is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave for May, with record temperatures in London and a heat alert in France.
  • The phenomenon is attributed to climate change, making the continent warmer than in the past.
  • Scientists warn that human-caused climate change intensifies extreme weather events like heatwaves.

Europe is grappling with an extraordinary heatwave this week, shattering May temperature records in London and prompting a heat alert in France. The unusual warmth is being linked to climate change, which scientists say is making the continent significantly hotter.

Such heat would be unusual in the UK in mid-summer.

— Met OfficeDescribing the record-breaking temperatures in London.

London recorded a scorching 34.8 degrees Celsius (94.6 Fahrenheit) at Kew Gardens, marking the hottest May day ever. This surpassed the previous record of 32.8 degrees Celsius set in 1922 and 1944. The Met Office noted that such temperatures are highly unusual for the UK, even in mid-summer, with average May temperatures typically around 17-18 degrees Celsius.

Meteorologists explain the heatwave is caused by warm air flowing from North Africa, trapped under a high-pressure system. Climate scientists emphasize that human-induced climate change is exacerbating extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, and floods. "We are seeing more and more extreme events, not just in the UK but globally, with more and more records being broken," said Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst, calling it "a good indication of climate change in action."

We are seeing more and more extreme events, not just in the UK but globally, with more and more records being broken. It's a good indication of climate change in action.

— Greg DewhurstA Met Office forecaster commenting on the heatwave and its link to climate change.

Residents are feeling the impact. Chloe O'Brien Kaminski, a 23-year-old nursing student in London, remarked, "We thought we were in Spain." While enjoying the sunshine, she expressed concern about climate change, stating, "it's nice to have summer weather, but when we think about climate change, it's not so good." Lindy Brandt-Daloz, a 66-year-old Australian living in London, recalled no similar May heat and urged younger generations to take climate change seriously, lamenting the perceived indifference of world leaders.

We thought we were in Spain. It's nice to have summer weather, but when we think about climate change, it's not so good.

— Chloe O’Brian KaminskiA London resident describing the heat and her concerns about climate change.

France is also on high alert, with eight departments in the west under a "orange" heatwave warning. Temperatures reached 29.8 degrees Celsius in Brest. Météo-France forecasts the early and intense heat to persist until the weekend. Authorities have advised maximum vigilance during physical activity. Italy's Lazio region, including Rome, has implemented restrictions on outdoor work during the hottest part of the day.

I wish the new generation would take it seriously and change their habits. But when we see the leaders of the whole world completely indifferent, that is really worrying.

— Lindy Brandt-DalozA London resident expressing concern about climate change and leadership inaction.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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