Paris bakes as heat wave turns deadly

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?

In some areas, it's rewriting June, even all-time record books.

According to Météo-France, the official French meteorological administration, Tuesday was the hottest day on record in France, topping both July 25, 2019 and August 5, 2003, when considering a combination of 30 weather reporting stations across the country.

Incredibly, that also followed the country's warmest night in records dating to 1947, Météo-France said.

Over 120 all-time heat records were broken Monday, then 135 all-time records were broken Tuesday in France. Among the hottest highs in France so far included 111.7 degrees Fahrenheit in Pissos and 108.5 degrees in Bordeaux Tuesday.

Météo-France also 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.

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, highs Tuesday soared into the 90s in England as far north as the Midlands, including a high of 91 at London's Heathrow Airport.

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 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 by Sunday, 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.

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