As Europe bakes in early heatwave, fan and air-con sales skyrocket
France hits record-breaking June heat as soaring temperatures put the UK and other nations under red alert. Tens of millions are affected
Large parts of western Europe were baking on Wednesday as a so-called heat dome brought extreme conditions that many forecasters warned could present a risk to life.
A day after France recorded its hottest-ever day, Britain was on Wednesday set to see its highest ever June temperature, prompting the national weather forecaster to issue a “red heat health” alert for much of central and southern England, as well as Wales.
It was only the second such warning ever issued by UK authorities following July 2022, when temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for the first time ever.
The temperature is set to fall short of 40 degrees but could breach that level – not long ago considered unimaginable – on Thursday.
“Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events and we’re expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many, even beyond those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat,” said Mark Sidaway, deputy chief forecaster for the UK Met Office.
Hundreds of British schools planned to close or close early because of the heat, while many train services were reduced to avoid heat-related problems on the rail lines.