'Mini version of hell': Heat dome scorches Europe as UK, France shatter temperature records
A heat dome trapped hot air over Europe on May 25, shattering May temperature records in the UK, Ireland, and France, with Kew Gardens hitting 34.8°C—the hottest May day ever recorded. Italy imposed outdoor work restrictions, Spain forecasted 38°C temperatures, and France declared heatwave alerts as climate scientists linked the extreme weather to human-driven climate change.
A powerful heatwave struck Europe on May 25, with Britain, Ireland, and France experiencing unprecedented May temperatures driven by a high-pressure system trapping hot air from northern Africa. The UK’s Met Office confirmed its hottest May day on record, with Kew Gardens in London reaching 34.8°C—nearly 2°C higher than the previous record. Ireland also set new May highs, while Scotland saw a grass fire near Edinburgh as temperatures climbed to 25°C. In France, Meteo-France reported dozens of broken temperature records, issuing heatwave alerts for eight western regions. Bergerac hit 34.7°C, and Brittany faced temperatures between 32°C and 35°C, with southern areas nearing 37°C. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will review government preparedness amid concerns, including a fatality and 10 hospitalizations during Paris races. Spain’s Aemet warned of persistent extreme heat, with temperatures expected to reach 38°C in parts of the country. Italy’s Lazio region restricted outdoor work from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm to protect workers from prolonged sun exposure. Climate scientists emphasized that such heatwaves align with warnings about intensifying extreme weather due to climate change, following Britain’s first-ever 40°C summer in 2022. The heatwave’s intensity has prompted comparisons to summer conditions, with London’s usual May temperatures around 17°C–18°C. Authorities across Europe are monitoring impacts on infrastructure, public health, and safety as the scorching conditions persist.
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