Western European countries are preparing for a drop in temperatures on Wednesday after days of intense heat, with thunderstorms expected to arrive from the Atlantic Ocean, according to weather agencies.
Temperatures in Paris reached 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, but are predicted to peak at 35 degrees on Wednesday, dropping to 28 degrees on Thursday, as reported by the French meteorological service.
The agency stated: “Our latest forecasts confirm the arrival of a cold front from the west on Wednesday, which will quickly impact the northwest of the country,” predicting severe thunderstorms late Wednesday and Thursday in the eastern part of the country near the border with Germany.
Meanwhile, the German meteorological service expects a maximum temperature of 40 degrees in Frankfurt on Wednesday, the country’s economic capital, which is expected to drop to 27 degrees on Thursday.
In Spain and Italy, temperatures are likely to remain high over the next few days, with a decline anticipated by the end of the week.
While around 2,200 schools in France closed on Tuesday due to the heat, the Ministry of Education reported that only about 135 will take similar action on Wednesday.
The French meteorological service confirmed that June 30 was the hottest day in the month since records began in 1947, with the previous record dating back to 2019.
France recorded its second hottest June this year, following that of 2003, according to the Ministry of Ecological Transition on Wednesday.
Similar record levels were noted on Tuesday in Portugal and the Netherlands.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts indicated that “overall, the previous month is expected to rank among the five hottest Junes on record” in the continent.
Turkish authorities announced late Tuesday that the wildfires that broke out over the weekend near Izmir (west) and Hatay (south) are largely under control, although they warned of risks from hot, dry winds.
Previous heatwaves in Europe have resulted in the deaths of thousands, prompting local authorities to issue warnings, particularly for the young, elderly, and vulnerable populations, about the extreme heat described by the United Nations as a “silent killer.”
Spanish police reported on Tuesday that a two-year-old boy died in the northeast of the country after being left in a car under the sun for hours.
The World Meteorological Organization noted that “as a result of climate change driven by human activities, extreme temperatures are becoming more frequent and severe; this is something we must learn to live with.”
Spokesperson Claire Nullis stated: “Every heat-related death is unnecessary… we have the knowledge and the tools, and we can save lives.”
Heatwaves can lead to dehydration, muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, and even fatal heat strokes, especially among vulnerable groups.
Insurance firm Allianz Trade warned on Tuesday that the European economy could lose 0.5 percent of its growth this year due to recent heatwaves.
