This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48795264

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
European heatwave: Temperature may pass highest on record in France European heatwave: Record temperatures 'claim lives'
(about 3 hours later)
France may hit its highest-ever recorded temperature on Friday in a heatwave that has swept across Europe this week. Western Europe is bracing for record temperatures amid a heatwave which is thought to have claimed lives.
The current record is 44.1C (111.4F) - measured during a heatwave in 2003 which killed thousands of people. France may hit its highest-ever recorded temperature on Friday in the heatwave that has swept across the continent this week.
In response, France's national weather service has issued an unprecedented red alert warning for four regions in the south. The current record is 44.1C (111.4F) - measured during a heatwave in 2003 which killed thousands of people.
Most of the country remains on orange alert, the second-highest level. In response, France's national weather service has issued an unprecedented red alert warning for four areas.
Swathes of the continent are experiencing extreme heat. Germany, France, Poland and the Czech Republic have all recorded their highest-ever June temperatures, and in Spain firefighters are battling Catalonia's worst wildfires in 20 years. Those are all in the south, but most of the country remains on orange alert, the second highest level.
Swathes of the continent are experiencing extreme heat. Germany, France, Poland and the Czech Republic have all recorded their highest-ever June temperatures.
In Spain firefighters are battling Catalonia's worst wildfires in 20 years. Eight provinces are on red alert while temperatures are expected to rise above 42C in many areas.
The Italian ministry of health has reported emergency levels of heat in 16 cities.
First loss of life
Several people are believed to have lost their lives as a result of the extreme temperatures, including two who died from suspected heatstroke in Spain.
One, a 17-year-old farm worker in Córdoba, went into convulsions after cooling down in the farm swimming pool, while an 80-year-old man died on a street in the northern city of Valladolid.
In the UK, police warned people of the dangers of cooling off in rivers and lakes after a 12-year-old girl drowned in the River Irwell in Greater Manchester.
Why is it getting so hot?
Meteorologists say hot air drawn in from northern Africa is responsible, caused by high pressure over central Europe and a storm stalling over the Atlantic.Meteorologists say hot air drawn in from northern Africa is responsible, caused by high pressure over central Europe and a storm stalling over the Atlantic.
In southern France, areas of Gard, Vaucluse, Herault and Bouches-du-Rhone are expected to see temperatures between 42C and 45C on Friday. In southern France, the areas of Gard, Vaucluse, Hérault and Bouches-du-Rhône are expected to see temperatures between 42C and 45C on Friday.
French authorities have stepped up restrictions on water use to combat the heatwave's effects, while hundreds of schools have been closed. French authorities have stepped up restrictions on water use to combat the heatwave's effects, while 4,000 schools are now closed or have special measures in place to welcome pupils.
In a TV interview, health minister Agnès Buzyn said she was concerned about the increase in calls to emergency service numbers as a result of the heatwave. In a TV interview, Health Minister Agnès Buzyn said she was concerned about the increase in calls to emergency service numbers as a result of the heatwave.
She called on members of the public to avoid "risky behaviour" like leaving children in cars or jogging outside in the middle of the day.She called on members of the public to avoid "risky behaviour" like leaving children in cars or jogging outside in the middle of the day.
Is climate change to blame?Is climate change to blame?
Linking a single event to global warming is complicated.Linking a single event to global warming is complicated.
While extreme weather events like heatwaves occur naturally, experts say these will happen more often because of climate change.While extreme weather events like heatwaves occur naturally, experts say these will happen more often because of climate change.
Records going back to the late 19th Century show that the average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by about one degree since industrialisation.Records going back to the late 19th Century show that the average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by about one degree since industrialisation.
A climatology institute in Potsdam, Germany, says Europe's five hottest summers since 1500 have all been in the 21st Century.A climatology institute in Potsdam, Germany, says Europe's five hottest summers since 1500 have all been in the 21st Century.
Scientists are concerned that rapid warming linked to use of fossil fuels has serious implications for the stability of the planet's climate.Scientists are concerned that rapid warming linked to use of fossil fuels has serious implications for the stability of the planet's climate.
Have you been affected by the heatwave in Europe? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the heatwave in Europe? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
You can also contact us in the following ways:You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form below:Or use the form below: