There are currently record temperatures in various parts of Europe, including France and Spain, where temperatures are reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. The weather anomaly has also brought bursts of intense rain at random times, with some places even recording hail.
The heat dome is unusual because it has arrived early, before summer, and is also expected to last for up to two weeks. The phenomenon is being caused by a strong high-pressure system trapping hot air from North Africa over western and central Europe. France has already recorded its highest-ever May temperatures in hundreds of weather stations, while the UK also broke its May temperature record with 34.8°C at Kew Gardens. Spain is expected to reach close to 40°C in parts of the south and interior, with tropical nights also forecast.
The heat is expected to move further north across Europe, with Germany, the UK and other northern European countries also experiencing temperatures well above seasonal averages. Meteorologists have described the event as highly unusual for this time of year, with temperatures in parts of western Europe rising between 10°C and 15°C above normal.
Weather anomalies in Europe are increasing with the effects of climate change, with heatwaves becoming more frequent, more intense and more prolonged. According to the EU’s satellite service, Copernicus, 23 of the 30 most severe heatwaves in Europe since 1950 have taken place since 2000, while the WHO has warned that Europe is the fastest-warming region in the world, warming at around twice the global average rate.
Malta has already experienced the deadly impact of extreme heat combined with infrastructure failure. During the 2023 heatwave, Malta suffered widespread power cuts as temperatures exceeded 40°C, with Enemalta blaming sustained heat for damaging underground cables. At least 21 deaths were reported during the heatwave and power outages, with confirmed deaths linked to dehydration and hyperthermia during the same period.
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