Italy on red alert as Portugal beats record for hottest May day
France 24 • • world
Key Points:
- Britain and France have recorded their hottest May days ever this week due to a "heat dome" causing extreme temperatures in western Europe, with Portugal reaching a record 40.3C in Mora.
- Several deaths, mainly from drowning, have been linked to the heatwave in Britain and France, while Italy issued its first red alert of the year for Rome and four northern cities due to health risks from high temperatures.
- The French Open tennis tournament near Paris has been affected by the heat, with players suffering from dehydration and exhaustion, and courts being regularly watered to manage the conditions.
- Spain also issued heat alerts for parts of the northeast and north, with temperatures expected to reach up to 37C, described as extraordinarily high for the season, though a drop in temperatures is forecast for next week.
- Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves and other extreme weather events to human-driven climate change.