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Portugal sets new May temperature record amid Europe-wide heatwave
Portugal registered its highest May temperature on record Wednesday, hitting 40.3°C in the central town of Mora, surpassing the previous 2001 record of 40°C. The scorching conditions are part of a broader heatwave gripping Western Europe, with authorities and residents scrambling to adapt.
France assesses heatwave preparedness as schools and exams face disruption
French ministers convened Thursday to evaluate the nation's readiness for extreme heat, focusing on wildfire prevention and water supply management. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu led the meeting as temperatures soared, prompting some schools to close due to unbearable indoor conditions.
A primary school in Souston, Landes, will remain shut Friday after indoor temperatures reached 53°C earlier in the week, a local official told French media. Education Minister Édouard Geffray confirmed baccalaureate exams-France's equivalent of A-levels-would proceed, with exam centers instructed to prioritize shaded rooms. However, the decision drew criticism from teachers and unions, with reports of staff bringing personal fans or even screwdrivers to force open jammed windows.
Nearly 78% of secondary schools surveyed by a teachers' union reported temperatures exceeding 30°C this week. Seventeen departments, including Paris, are under an orange alert, urging heightened vigilance.
Paris implements emergency measures as temperatures near 34°C
Paris recorded 33°C Thursday, with forecasts predicting peaks of 34°C over the weekend. Authorities announced traffic restrictions until Saturday, limiting roads to low-emission vehicles and reducing speed limits. Public transport fares will be capped at a single rate to encourage use during the heatwave.
Athletes and cities struggle under extreme conditions
At the French Open, top-seeded tennis player Jannik Sinner withdrew mid-match, citing dizziness and fatigue. The Italian later dismissed the heat as a factor, attributing his performance to personal issues. Meanwhile, Italy issued its first red heatwave alert of the year for Rome, Florence, Bologna, Brescia, and Turin, warning of potential health risks even for healthy individuals.
Spain, though not officially in a heatwave, expects Madrid to reach 35°C over the weekend. The national meteorological office noted temperatures typically seen in July or August.
Heat dome fuels prolonged high temperatures
The immediate cause of the heatwave is a "heat dome"-a stagnant high-pressure system trapping warm air beneath it. While scientists caution against linking individual events directly to climate change, they emphasize that global warming increases the frequency and intensity of such extremes.
The Copernicus climate service reports Europe has warmed by 0.56°C per decade over the past 30 years, exacerbating heatwave severity. The UN's weather agency warned Thursday that global temperatures are likely to remain near record levels through 2030, with a new all-time high probable before 2031. All 11 of the hottest years on record have occurred since 2015.
Outlook: Heat to persist before gradual relief
Portugal's meteorological office forecasts temperatures above 35°C in parts of the country Friday before conditions begin to ease. Elsewhere in Western Europe, the heatwave is expected to continue into the weekend, testing infrastructure and public health responses.
