Twenty people lost their lives to drowning in France this weekend, as reported by local authorities. They sought refreshment in unsupervised places, escaping the intense heat wave that hit the country and other European nations.
Sports Minister Marina Ferrari emphasized on France Inter radio the seriousness of swimming in areas not permitted during periods of high temperature. Meteorologists predict the temperature across much of France will reach approximately 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday.
In another statement, public bodies reported that the extreme heat probably caused the deaths of two children, aged two and four. They were found dead in a car, parked in front of their house in the city of Carpentras, in southeastern France.
Additionally, three elderly people, aged between 80 and 95, died in the Bordeaux area due to health complications linked to high temperatures. The information was confirmed by Sophie Brocas, regional authority, to France TV.
The current heat wave has set new temperature records in several cities, such as Bordeaux and Poitiers, putting pressure on power grids and public services. The French meteorological service has issued a red alert for 54 regions in a country where the use of air conditioning is not widespread, prompting schools to close early or adjust their schedules to protect students.
Elsewhere in Europe, the British Met Office issued a warning on Monday about a four-day heatwave. Forecasts indicate temperatures could exceed 39°C (102°F) in certain areas, easily surpassing the June records of 35.6°C (96°F) recorded in 1957 and 1976.
Just a few weeks before this announcement, the United Kingdom had already recorded its highest temperature for the month of May.
“Trinta e seis graus vai ser horrível”, comentou Lewis Jennings, cientista de dados, à agência de notícias Reuters, em Londres. Meteorological experts indicated that temperatures are between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius (9 to 18 degrees Fahrenheit) above what is considered normal for the season, with even more pronounced anomalies in the northern regions.
A Espanha também vem enfrentando um calor intenso. San Sebastián, a generally milder northern city, is expected to reach 40°C (104°F), more than double the historical average for June 22, according to information from the Reuters Climate Monitor.
That day, the climate monitor showed that Europe stood out as the continent furthest away from its historical temperature conditions.
The current extreme heat is the result of an atmospheric phenomenon known as the “Omega Block”, named for its resemblance to the shape of the Greek letter. This climate system traps a vast mass of warm air over the continent, while cooler air masses remain at its edges.
“It is attracting hot air from North Africa, coming from the Sahara, and that is why we are experiencing such intense heat. It is a very slow movement, which means there is no wind and breeze to alleviate the thermal sensation,” explained Clair Barnes, associate researcher in climate and extreme weather at Imperial College London, to Reuters.
According to her, heat waves and storms are being intensified by climate change. This global phenomenon not only raises temperatures, but also contributes to an increase in rainfall volumes.