Europe is facing record-breaking heat, which has worsened conditions among the public and led to the deaths of thousands of people. France, Spain, and the UK bore the brunt of the early wave, with over 1,000 excess deaths reported in France and more than 800 in Spain. Paris hospitals were pushed to saturation point, triggering strict heat-health action plans.

Europe is experiencing one of its most intense heat waves in recent years, with temperatures soaring above 40°C in several countries. Meteorologists say the extreme weather is being driven by a heat dome, strengthened by an Omega Block weather pattern that is trapping hot air over the continent. But why is the continent witnessing heat dome-like situations, and how does it impact the region? Read on to know more.

Heatwave in Europe

Europe is facing record-breaking heat, which has worsened conditions among the public and led to the deaths of thousands of people. France, Spain, and the UK bore the brunt of the early wave, with over 1,000 excess deaths reported in France and more than 800 in Spain. Paris hospitals were pushed to saturation point, triggering strict heat-health action plans. The heat dome later migrated eastward, pushing temperatures above 40°C in several European countries. The extreme heat has rapidly exacerbated drought conditions. Italy’s longest river, the Po, dropped to critically low levels, and water temperatures used to cool nuclear reactors in Hungary became dangerously hot.

Heat Dome |

What is a heat dome?