Extreme Heat Hits Europe for the Third Time This Year

Europe is dealing with its third heat wave since May, and this one is bringing dangerous temperatures to millions of people. Countries like Spain, Portugal, France, and Britain are all feeling the extreme heat. In some places, temperatures could climb as much as 10 degrees Celsius — or 18 degrees Fahrenheit — above normal. The heat has started wildfires, forced people from their homes, and put many lives at risk.

A weather pattern called a heat dome is causing this latest stretch of hot weather. A heat dome traps hot air over a large area, making temperatures rise quickly and stay high for days. Scientists say this is the same pattern that caused the last two heat waves in Europe this year. Forecasters warn that the heat will not go away quickly, and some regions could stay dangerously hot through the weekend.

One of the biggest problems right now is wildfires. In France, a wildfire in the Pyrenees mountain range — near the border with Spain — has burned more than 11,000 acres of land. More than 10,000 people had to leave their homes in nearly 30 towns and villages. More than 2,000 firefighters are working to stop the fire, and aircraft are also dropping water on the flames.

Weather services across Europe are warning people about just how hot it will get. In Portugal, the highest-level heat warnings are in place, and temperatures could reach 42 degrees Celsius — about 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Spain's weather service says the heat could last through at least Wednesday, with temperatures possibly hitting 44 degrees Celsius, or 111 degrees Fahrenheit, in parts of the south. In Britain, temperatures in southern England could reach 35 degrees Celsius, or 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with high humidity and thunderstorms also possible.

Scientists say that Europe is heating up faster than any other continent on Earth. They estimate that heat waves now cause tens of thousands of deaths in Europe every year. While experts say you cannot always blame one heat wave on climate change alone, they are sure that heat waves are getting hotter, more common, and longer because of human-made climate change.

One big reason so many Europeans struggle in the heat is that their homes were not built for it. Many houses and buildings across Europe were designed for a cooler climate, and some even trap heat inside. In Britain, many homes were built to hold in warmth during cold winters, which makes them very hard to cool down in summer. Air-conditioning is not common or easy to install in much of Europe.

There are things everyone can do to stay safe in extreme heat. The two most important are staying cool and drinking plenty of water. You can block window heat by hanging a dark blanket over windows that get afternoon sun, then open windows at night to let in cooler air. If you have to go outside, carry a water bottle with ice and try to find shade or a cool indoor space like a museum.