Why Europe’s heatwave is so unusual
France has recorded its all-time hottest temperature amid a European heatwave that has prompted governments to issue health alerts, urging people to keep cool.
Several people have lost their lives amid the soaring temperatures. The heatwave has also caused flash floods and forest fires, grounded planes and buckled train tracks, and led to school closures and warnings over air quality.
Heatwaves are not uncommon, but according to weather experts they are being amplified by a rise in global temperatures and are likely to become more frequent — one of the more predictable impacts of our warming climate.