France Faces Severe Heat Wave: Red Alerts Issued Amid Rising Temperatures
France is facing an extreme heat wave with red alerts and school closures as temperatures soar.
Key Points
- • 16 departments in France under red alert due to heatwave starting July 1 at noon.
- • Temperatures in Paris reached 31°C overnight, prompting nationwide school closures.
- • Heat wave impacts Southern Europe, with severe conditions reported in Spain, Italy, and Portugal.
- • Authorities are implementing measures to protect vulnerable populations amid rising heat risks.
An extreme heat wave is currently gripping France, prompting Météo France to issue red alerts for 16 departments including Paris. Starting at midday on July 1, temperatures have risen significantly, with reports indicating nighttime lows of 31°C in the capital itself. As a precautionary measure, approximately 1,350 schools across the nation will be closed, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
The impact of this heat wave is felt across Southern Europe, affecting Spain, Italy, and Portugal as well. In Spain, temperatures have soared to a staggering 46°C, leading to tragic fatalities from heat exposure. Portugal's conditions are similarly severe, with temperatures reaching 46.6°C, and unusual weather phenomena such as the formation of 'roll clouds' have also been recorded. Italy, facing its own crisis, has placed 17 cities under red alert while grappling with deadly wildfires.
France's red alert encompasses areas such as Île-de-France and other regions where the populace is particularly vulnerable. Local authorities are actively deploying measures to protect at-risk groups, including the homeless and elderly in care facilities. The government is on high alert, continuously monitoring the situation to minimize repercussions from this historic heat occurrence.
This heat wave is part of a broader trend affecting the Mediterranean, where the surface temperature is now critically high at an average of 26.01°C. France, which is experiencing its hottest June on record up to this point, is just one of many areas grappling with severe climate effects, raising concerns about the growing climate crisis in Europe.