New country warns of extreme heat

France

France warns of extreme heat: “Ten degrees above normal”

Felix Wilow

Updated 20.24 | Published 18.21

The heat wave continues its journey through Europe.

Several red warnings have now been issued in France.

Temperatures above 40 degrees are expected there as well on Tuesday.

The extreme heat is plaguing southern Europe. In Spain and Portugal, temperatures of over 46 degrees have been measured over the weekend. According to the Spanish weather institute AEMET, it could get even hotter.

Now France is also warning of the heat. Several areas in the country have had temperatures between 36 and 38 degrees on Monday. Tuesday is expected to be even hotter. A total of 16 departments have issued a red heat warning, according to Le Parisien. An orange warning applies in another 68 departments.

– In some areas, temperatures are being measured that are more than ten degrees above normal for the season, Health Minister Yannick Neuder told the newspaper during a visit to Paris.

“Everyone’s concern”

 

The heat wave is spreading across large parts of southern Europe. Photo: Foreca/Screenshot

The heat is expected to peak on Tuesday with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees in some places. Wednesday is also expected to be sweaty. Only the areas near the English Channel and the Belgian border will have temperatures below 34 degrees.

Yannick Neuder urges French residents to be vigilant and to raise the alarm if anyone seems to be suffering from the heat.

– The heat wave is everyone’s concern, he says, but adds that the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

The heat will continue north. Both Croatia and Germany have issued warnings.

– It could be close to 40 degrees quite far up in Germany tomorrow, says Katarina Andersson, meteorologist at SMHI.

          

          

         People cool off with water on the streets of Paris on Monday.

         1 / 2Photo: Christophe Ena / AP

Record heat in the Mediterranean

The southern European heat is also visible in the Mediterranean, which on Sunday measured the highest average surface temperature ever: 26.01 degrees, according to the European Copernicus program.

Last Sunday, Portugal had its hottest June day ever – 46.6 degrees in the Évora district. In Spain, authorities are warning that the temperature could exceed the country's record of 47.4 degrees. At least two people are feared to have died as a result of the heat so far, according to El País. 

Those who are in the heat are urged to be careful and stay updated.

– You should not be out in the sun, but the best thing is to stay indoors where there is access to air conditioning, drink plenty of water and take your siesta in the middle of the day. "Don't lie on the beach," says Katarina Andersson.