Forecasters have warned that temperatures could rise further this month, as climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and intense. Governments across Europe have taken precautionary measures, including cancelling some public events, while some schools have closed or modified their timetables.
At least 18 people have died in France, including two children and three elderly people, amid the heatwave.
In the Bordeaux region of France, three elderly people, between the ages of 80 and 95, died over the weekend from health issues related to the heatwave, local government official Sophie Brocas told France TV on Sunday. The temperature in the region rose to 107.4°F (41.9°C) on Saturday.
Here’s what to know about the heatwave and what you can do to protect yourself.
Temperatures in parts of France topped 104°F (40°C) over the weekend and early this week. In Poitiers, a city in central France, the temperature broke a record last set in 1947, exceeding 106.2°F (41.2°C) on Sunday and is forecast to continue exceeding highs of 104°F (40°C) through Wednesday. In Pissos in southwestern France, temperatures hit a high of 108°F (42.2°C) on Sunday. Paris recorded its highest temperature of the month on Monday with a preliminary high of 101.1°F (38.4°C), and it could see even higher temperatures in the coming days. The capital city recorded its highest temperature of all time in July 2019 at 108.7°F (42.6°C).
While France still held the annual Fête de la Musique (World Music Day) on Sunday, authorities banned alcohol consumption in public during the celebrations in areas under red alert. Paris’s Louvre museum also canceled a free concert under its glass pyramid due to the heat.
Forecasters in the U.K. warned that temperatures could reach unprecedented levels for June in the coming days. The Met Office, the country’s national weather forecaster, issued a red extreme heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures expected to reach at least 102°F (39°C) in England and Wales. Those temperatures would break a record for June of 96°F (35.6°C) set in 1957 and 1976. Last month, the U.K. also saw record high temperatures for May.
The forecaster warned that the extreme temperatures, as well as high humidity, poses risks for public health and infrastructure, as well as transport, energy, and water supply.
According to the Reuters Climate Monitor, San Sebastian, a coastal city in northern Spain that traditionally has milder temperatures, was forecast to reach 104°F (40°C) on Monday.
Italian authorities placed 12 cities under its highest heat alert on Monday, including Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan, and Verona. The number of red-alert cities would rise to 15 on Tuesday and 16 on Wednesday as the heatwave intensifies, according to the country’s health ministry.
Germany has also experienced severe thunderstorms, alongside temperatures that exceeded 86°F (30°C) in Berlin. The Berlin Open final was interrupted by heavy thunderstorms, forcing the match to be suspended for six hours.
What’s causing the heatwave?
Heatwaves are becoming more intense and frequent because of climate change, experts have said, and an April report from the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization found that Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average. Greenhouse gas emissions trap heat for longer and raise global temperatures, while climate change is also contributing to more intense rainfall and flooding in some regions. Climate experts have sounded the alarm after last year became the third hottest year on record.
Older adults are also more vulnerable to extreme heat, because people become less able to regulate temperature and retain fluids with age. Many elderly people also have underlying health conditions or take medications that can increase their risk to heat-related illness.
How can you stay safe?
Unicef recommends that you keep your home cool by closing the curtains during the day, opening the windows at night, and using fans and coolers if available. According to the World Health Organization, however, you should only use electric fans when temperatures are below 104°F (40°C). Above that temperature, fans circulate hot air.
Experts also stress the importance of staying hydrated by drinking water regularly, instead of waiting till you feel thirsty. Bring a water bottle with you when going outside, and avoid alcoholic drinks that can dehydrate you further.
Parts of Europe, including Paris and some cities in Spain, have also started to operate climate or cooling shelters.
It is also important to properly store food and medicines, according to the European Commission. The British Red Cross also recommends stocking up on food, drinking water, and medications in case heatwaves affect supply.
It’s important to check regularly on children and animals, experts say.
Avoid letting your children play outside for long hours during hot times of the day, Unicef says, and always keep an eye on them.
What are the symptoms of heat stress?
Milder symptoms of heat stress in adults include dry lips, excessive thirst, excessive sweating, weakness or dizziness, nausea and vomiting, blisters and rashes, fever, and muscle cramps, according to Unicef. Severe symptoms include confusion, seizures, fainting, no urine in over eight hours or dark urine, and a rapid heartbeat. A body temperature exceeding 104°F (40°C) can also be a sign of heat stroke. If you or someone you know experiences severe symptoms, you should go to the hospital immediately.
You should not give infants medication if they show signs of becoming overheated without consulting a health provider, Unicef notes.
Read More: How to Tell the Difference Between Heat Stress, Exhaustion, and Stroke
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