The UK has had one of its hottest days on record, with the heat soaring above 40 degrees Celsius for the first time ever on Tuesday. Heathrow recorded 40.2 degree Celsius, 1.5 degree Celsius higher than the previous record of 38.7 degree Celsius recorded in 2019 in Cambridge
Heathrow recorded 40.2 degree Celsius, 1.5 degree Celsius higher than the previous record of 38.7 degree Celsius recorded in 2019 in Cambridge.
This has left climate scientists concerned as extreme heatwaves in Europe are occurring more rapidly than models had suggested, indicating that the climate crisis on the European continent may be even worse than feared.
Prof Peter Stott, at the Met Office, said that he is shocked that the UK has recorded more than 40.2 degrees Celsius this year, smashing the previous record set in 2019.
About 2,000 heatwave deaths a year have occurred on average in the UK over the last decade. The heatwave has also disrupted work, schools and travel. According to scientists, slashing carbon emissions, and rapidly upgrading the UK’s overheating homes and buildings, are more urgent than ever.
Wildfires –
In France, towns and cities in the country’s west registered their highest-ever temperatures Monday, the national weather office said.
The western region of Brittany — normally cool and often wet in summer — set new record highs Monday above 40C.
Despite cooler air from the Atlantic offering some respite there Tuesday, dozens of departments remained on orange alert, with temperatures still expected to top 40C in the east and south and violent thunderstorms forecast locally.
The heatwave — the second to engulf parts of Europe in recent weeks — has contributed to deadly wildfires in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain, destroying vast tracts of land.
