France, UK swelter as first-ever May heatwave alert issued

France and the UK experienced unprecedented May heat this week, with temperatures soaring well above seasonal averages. In France, Météo-France issued its first-ever May heatwave alert, placing eight western regions under warning after dozens of temperature records were broken. Paris recorded its first temperature above 30C for 2024 on Saturday, while Bergerac hit 34.7C on Monday. Across the Channel, the UK’s Met Office confirmed Monday as the hottest May day on record, with Kew Gardens in southwest London reaching 34.8C—two degrees higher than the previous high. The agency described the heat as ‘exceptional,’ even for mid-summer, and attributed the spike to a ‘heat dome’ of warm air from northern Africa trapped over western Europe. Scientists emphasized the role of climate change in intensifying such extreme weather. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst called the rising temperatures ‘a good indication of climate change in action,’ suggesting they may soon become the norm. Earlier this year, UK climate advisers warned that the country’s infrastructure was built for a climate that no longer exists, urging adaptations for schools and hospitals. The heatwave is expected to persist until the weekend, with Spain forecast to peak at 38C and parts of Italy implementing outdoor work restrictions. In London, where average May temperatures hover around 17-18C, residents described the conditions as ‘like a mini version of hell,’ with one long-term resident linking the heat to climate change directly. This follows a 2022 UK record of temperatures exceeding 40C for the first time. Experts continue to stress the urgency of preparing for more frequent and severe heatwaves in Europe.