When Paris is hotter than Mecca: How Europe’s heatwave compares globally
Summary
A severe heatwave has hit much of Europe, causing very high temperatures and warnings for health risks, wildfires, and travel problems. The heatwave is driven by a weather pattern trapping hot air and warmer seas, and scientists link it to climate change making such events more frequent and intense.Key Facts
- Many European countries like the UK, France, Spain, and Italy are under red alerts due to extreme heat.
- Temperatures have reached about 39°C (102°F) in some places, including Madrid.
- A "heat dome," a high-pressure area, is trapping hot air over Western Europe.
- Warm air from North Africa and unusually warm seas contribute to the ongoing heat.
- Daily temperatures in parts of western France, England, and Wales are about 12°C higher than usual for this time of year.
- Europe is warming faster than any other continent, at roughly 0.56°C per decade since the mid-1990s.
- Only around 20% of European homes have air conditioning, making the heat harder to handle.
- Temperature "feels like" values consider humidity, wind, and sun exposure, which affect how hot people feel.
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