Intense heat wave hits Europe

As temperatures in the UK are set to rise above 30C next week, on continental Europe forecasters are predicting what may result in a record-breaking heatwave with temperatures expected to climb into the high thirties and may reach 40C in the hottest places.

Much of Europe will see at least one day of “intense heat” over the course of the week, forecasting service AccuWeather said, with a “core of heat” focused on the areas around southern Germany, east France, Switzerland, northern Italy and Austria. 

“This will set the stage for a potentially dangerous heat wave to occur over a large portion of western and central Europe,” they said.

The highest temperatures during the heatwave are expected to be in Paris, Madrid, Prague, Munich and Zurich.

While most of France will experience “abnormally high temperatures”, according to weather service Météo France, in the north, Normandy and Brittany will see persistent thunderstorms with temperatures “below normal”.

French President Emmanuel Macron has urged people to be extra vigilant in the coming days.

"As you know, at times like these, sick people, pregnant women, infants and elderly people are the most vulnerable. So we must be vigilant with them and have prevention measures in place in order to intervene as quickly as possible," he said.

The cause of the heatwave is due to several elements, including a phenomenon called “polar amplification”, in which rising temperatures north of the Arctic Circle trigger unusual weather patterns which can weaken and divert the jet stream from its usual course.