At least 7 deaths as severe heatwave hits Europe

Numerous July and all-time high-temperature records were broken across Europe on July 25, 2019, as second heatwave of the year peaked over the continent, claiming lives of at least 7 people. The heat is now coming to an end and forecast models call for significantly colder first half of August.

Temperatures across northern France, Belgium, Netherlands and west Germany rose up to 43 °C (109.4 °F) on July 25, breaking all-time records at numerous stations.

Tens of towns and cities reported afternoon temperatures between 40 and 43 °C (104 – 109.4 F), Severe Weather Europe reports. Numerous all-time/absolute station and even national records were shattered with a bang – in addition, some stations recorded 2 – 3 °C (3.6 – 5.4 °F) higher temperatures than ever before.

The highest temperature in France on July 25 was 43.1 °C (109.5 °F) recorded in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés. 42.9 °C (109.2 °F) was reported in La Brosse-Montceaux, and 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) in Nogent-sur-Seine, Achères and capital Paris – its new all-time record.

The highest temperaturerecorded in Germany was 42.6 °C (108.6 °F) in Lingen.

Belgium recorded the highest temperature of 41.8 °C (107.2 °F) in Begijnendijk, setting up a new national record. July 25, 2019 marked the first time ever that that any place in Belgium exceeded 40 °C (104 °F).

Netherlands peaked at 40.7 °C (105.2 °F) in Gilze-Rijen, England recorded record-breaking 38.1 °C (100.5 °F) in Cambridge and Scotland record-breaking 31.2 °C (88.1 °F) in Edinburgh.

As of July 26, 5 people died in France, 1 in Austria and 1 in Belgium.

Colder air is already over the Atlantic, Portugal and Spain today, pushing hot air towards northern and eastern Europe where it will stick until July 31.

Computer forecast models call for significantly colder start and first half of August.

Featured image credit: GFS, TropicalTidbits