Western Europe Braces for Record-Breaking May Heatwave

BRUSSELS — Western European countries are bracing for extreme heat this week as a "heat dome" causes record-high temperatures for May.

Spain and Portugal are set to experience the most extreme heat this week, with parts of Portugal expected to register temperatures of nearly 40 degrees Celsius, and areas of southern Spain forecast to hit 38C. France, Belgium and the UK are all expecting temperatures significantly higher than the May average.

In France, the national weather agency warned of “an early, remarkable and lasting heat wave,” with temperatures 12 degrees or higher than the seasonal average.

Multiple cities in the west of France are set to break May temperature records by several degrees, with Nantes expecting 35C heat on Monday — which would break a 2017 May temperature record by nearly three degrees.

The UK's weather agency warned of “a notable heatwave” with highs of up to 33 degrees on Monday, which would break May temperature records for the country, while Belgium is set for highs of up to 31C.

A "heat dome" is responsible for the current high temperatures, France's Météo-France weather agency said. Warm air moving up from Northern Africa has become trapped under a high-pressure system over Western Europe. The effect is similar to that of a lid on a pot, with warm air forced downward and baking affected regions with prolonged, blistering heat.

Météo-France noted the phenomenon is becoming more common as a result of climate change. "We expect to see such heatwaves more and more frequently," the agency said. "They will occur earlier and become more intense."

The UK has issues heat health alerts across parts of England until Wednesday, including an amber alert for London warning of “significant impacts” to health and social care services and a rise in deaths among the elderly and ill. Spain has issued yellow heat warnings in parts of the north for Monday.