Portugal sets hottest May day record as Europe swelters in heatwave
Portugal recorded its hottest May day at 40.3C in Mora, surpassing the 2001 record of 40C, as a heatwave grips western Europe. France declared orange alerts in 17 departments, Italy issued red alerts in Rome and other cities, and Spain faced unusually high temperatures for May, with Madrid reaching 35C over the weekend.
Portugal set a new May temperature record of 40.3C in the central town of Mora on Wednesday, exceeding the previous record of 40C from May 2001. The heatwave has spread across western Europe, with France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland experiencing unusually hot conditions for the season. In France, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu chaired a meeting to develop a heatwave readiness plan, focusing on forest fire prevention and water supply management. Schools in regions like Landes have shut due to extreme indoor temperatures, with one primary school in Souston reaching 53C. Despite criticism, education authorities insisted Baccalaureate exams would proceed, with exam centers choosing cooler rooms. Italy issued its first red heatwave alert of the year for Rome, Florence, Bologna, Brescia, and Turin, warning of potential health risks for active individuals. Temperatures in Rome are expected to hit 32C. Meanwhile, Spain’s meteorological office reported Madrid reaching 35C over the weekend, though the heat does not yet qualify as an official heatwave. The heatwave is attributed to a 'heat dome,' a high-pressure system trapping warm air. Scientists note that while individual events cannot be directly linked to climate change, rising global temperatures—Europe has warmed by 0.56C per decade over the past 30 years—are increasing the frequency and intensity of such extremes. The heatwave has also impacted major events, including the French Open, where tennis star Jannik Sinner withdrew due to dizziness and fatigue. In Paris, authorities introduced measures to reduce traffic emissions and lower speed limits, while offering a unified public transport fare to ease mobility. The heatwave is forecast to persist into the weekend before temperatures gradually decline, with Portugal’s meteorological office predicting peaks above 35C in some regions on Thursday and Friday.
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