A severe heatwave is gripping parts of Europe, with temperatures forecast to reach 40C in Spain and an amber extreme heat warning in place across large parts of England as more records are expected to fall.
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Key facts
- Temperatures of 40C are expected in Spain.
- An amber heat health warning stretches from London to Sheffield in England, in place from 9am to midnight Thursday.
- France has placed 80 departments on an orange heat warning.
- UK temperatures could reach highs of around 36 to 38C, according to the Met Office.
- Several UK stations reported temperatures above 30C before 11am.
A severe heatwave is affecting parts of Europe, with temperatures of 40C expected in Spain and a rare extreme heat warning expanded across England, according to the Guardian. Forecasters warned that more temperature records could fall as the heat spiked again on Thursday.
In England, the Met Office amber warning stretches from London to Sheffield, covering parts of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire. It is in place from 9am to midnight on Thursday, PA reported.
Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said temperatures in areas covered by the amber warning could reach highs of around 36, 37 and possibly 38C. He warned that such high temperatures could bring impacts to infrastructure, noting that railway lines and roads are not designed for this sort of heat.
The Met Office offered an update on temperatures across the UK, reporting that several stations were already above 30C before 11am. It was 30.4C in Wych Cross, 30.3C in Charlwood and 30.2C at Kenly Airfield, according to the Guardian.
In France, 80 departments have been placed on an orange heat warning, the Guardian reported. The BBC said heat was spiking again on Thursday with a rare warning in place and more records set to tumble.
A former UK government scientific adviser warned amid the heat that worse is still to come, describing the conditions as ‘shattering’, according to the Guardian.
Why it matters
Extreme heat poses risks to health and to infrastructure such as roads and railways that are not built for such temperatures. With records expected to fall and warnings that worse may follow, the heatwave highlights the growing challenges Europe faces from rising temperatures.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the UK amber heat warning apply?
The Met Office amber warning stretches from London to Sheffield, covering parts of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire, from 9am to midnight on Thursday.
How hot could it get in the UK?
According to the Met Office, temperatures in areas covered by the amber warning could reach highs of around 36, 37 and possibly 38C.
What temperatures are expected in Spain and France?
Temperatures of 40C are expected in Spain, and France has placed 80 departments on an orange heat warning, according to the Guardian.
Timeline
- Temperatures soar to 38C as amber extreme heat warning in effect
BBC Science: Heat is spiking again on Thursday with a rare warning in place and more records falling.
- Europe heatwave live: Temperatures of 40C expected in Spain; rare warning for ‘extreme heat’ expanded across England
The Guardian World: A former UK government scientific adviser warned amid the ‘shattering’ heat that worse is still to come Met Office has just offered an update on temperatures across the UK, with several stations already reporting temperatures above 30C – and it’s not even 11am. It’s 30.4C in Wych
- Europe heatwave live: Temperatures of 40C expected in Spain, with amber heat health warning in place across large parts of UK
The Guardian World: In France, 80 departments have been placed on an orange heat warning Over in England, the amber warning by the Met Office stretches from London to Sheffield, covering parts of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire and is in place from 9
- Temperatures to soar to 38C as amber extreme heat warning in effect
BBC Science: Heat will spike again on Thursday with a rare warning in place and more records set to tumble.