Overview
- A persistent high-pressure heat dome pushed temperatures far above normal in late May and produced national and station May records across western Europe.
- Météo‑France says May 26 was France’s hottest May day on record with a national average of 24.9°C, and Paris is forecast to reach an unprecedented run of days above 30°C through May 30.
- Portugal set a new national May record when Mora hit 40.3°C on May 27, and the UK’s Kew Gardens recorded May highs above 34°C during the same heat episode.
- Health and emergency services reported at least 18 heat-linked deaths across the UK and France, open-water drownings and event-related medical incidents disrupted public life, and authorities issued amber and orange warnings.
- Climate analyses and satellite data show the event was made substantially more likely by human-driven warming and experts warn Europe’s low home cooling rates raise risks until the expected relief arrives around May 31.