Portugal Shatters May Temperature Record
Portugal recorded its hottest May day in history on Tuesday as a severe heatwave swept across western Europe. Temperatures in the Alentejo region exceeded 43°C, breaking the previous May record set in 2018. The extreme heat prompted red alert warnings across much of Portugal and neighboring Spain, with authorities urging people to stay indoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours.
The heatwave was caused by a heat dome, a high-pressure system that traps hot air over a region. Scientists at the World Weather Attribution group said the combination of the natural heat dome and human-caused climate change made the event much more intense than it would have been 100 years ago. They noted that temperature records across Europe are being "not just broken but smashed," with the frequency of extreme heat events accelerating.
Red Alerts Across France and Italy
Italy issued red alerts in several cities, including Rome, Florence, and Bologna, as temperatures soared past 40°C in central regions. In southern France, red heat warnings were activated for the first time this year. French students taking national exams were forced to sit in schools without air conditioning, prompting criticism from parent groups and teacher unions. The government distributed water and set up cooling centers in the worst-affected areas.
Health officials in Italy reported a spike in heat-related hospital admissions, particularly among elderly people and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Spain's meteorological agency warned of extreme fire danger, with several wildfires breaking out in the parched countryside. In Greece, authorities closed the Acropolis during peak hours to protect tourists from heatstroke.
Climate Scientists Warn of Worse to Come
The European heatwave comes as the United Nations warned countries to prepare for what could be the strongest El Niño event on record. Scientists fear the combined effects of El Niño and human-caused climate change could reshape weather patterns globally and make extreme heat events even more common.
Meteorologists said the heatwave was expected to move northward, with temperatures in the United Kingdom potentially reaching 35°C later in the week. Public health experts urged governments to invest in heat-resistant infrastructure, including public cooling centers and green spaces, to protect vulnerable populations. The World Meteorological Organization said that heatwaves are now the deadliest natural hazard in Europe, killing more people than floods or storms combined.