Europe heat wave sends temperatures soaring to extreme levels

A dangerous heat wave is dominating much of western Europe this week, breaking many records. There are currently heat alerts across much of France into Germany and Switzerland as well as the south of England. 

How severe is this heat wave?

Météo-France, the official French meteorological administration, warns there are an unprecedented number of red heat wave alerts across the nation.

Forecast highs for Paris are around or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit every day this week. Over 100 all-time temperature records were broken across the country yesterday. A station in Le Blanc measured a high temperature of 44.3 degrees Celsius (111.7 degrees Fahrenheit), with many other stations reaching over 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

Temperatures like these are similar to that of the Desert Southwest in the U.S. But the difference? Most places in Europe lack air conditioning to combat the heat. 

In fact, there won’t be many places across the planet hotter than France this week. 

Météo-France said this heat wave has a severity level that could approach that of August 2003, which claimed nearly 15,000 lives in France alone. 

Not only are the warm daytime high temperatures a concern, but many nighttime lows are forecast to reach levels never before recorded. This means there will be little to no relief from the heat, even when the sun goes down, exacerbating the heat stress impacts.

(MORE: Why nighttime temperatures matter in a heat wave)

In the UK, the Met Office is forecasting June's all-time highest temperature, set 50 years ago, will be broken in this heat wave. It would also be the first time since 1911 that two consecutive months observed record-breaking highs.

When will there be relief?

London is forecast to be in the mid-90s Tuesday and Wednesday, then gradually will see relief Thursday and into the weekend.

Paris is forecast to see highs in or near the triple digits for multiple days this week, but temperatures should start to dip over the weekend, with next week returning to the 80s.

The heat wave will move into Berlin later this week and will continue to sizzle through the weekend, but will find relief by next week. 

As the heat continues to move eastward, though, it will make its way into Central Europe, including Poland, western Ukraine and the Baltics, with warm temperatures lingering into next week.

During extreme heat, remember these safety precautions:
-Take frequent breaks when outside
-Drink more water than usual
-Take cool showers or baths
-Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing

Miriam Guthrie is an associate meteorologist with weather.com who graduated from Georgia Tech with her undergrad and graduate degree in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences.