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Macron calls for vigilance as western Europe faces second heatwave of year
TL;DR
Western Europe is facing its second heatwave of the year, with temperatures exceeding 40C. French President Emmanuel Macron urges vigilance and care for vulnerable populations as severe weather warnings affect over half of France's population.
Key points
- Western Europe is facing a second heatwave of the year
- Temperatures expected to exceed 40C
- Macron urges vigilance for vulnerable populations
- 53 departments in France under severe weather warning
- A man died from cardiac arrest during the heatwave
Mentioned in this story
Emmanuel MacronSNCFFrance
More than half of France’s population is under a severe weather warning as large swathes of western Europe endure the second extreme heat event of the year with temperatures expected to exceed 40C (104F).
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, called for “extreme vigilance from everyone”, asking citizens to “take care of our oldest and most vulnerable people” and follow government advice. “We are going through difficult days,” he said.
A 30-year-old man died after going into cardiac arrest on an athletics track near Paris on Thursday as the temperature hit 37C, prompting the rail operator SNCF to cancel 71 intercity trains and schools to reschedule exams.
The national weather service, Météo-France, extended its orange heatwave alert to cover 53 of the country’s 96 mainland departments – home to 36 million people – from midday on Friday, warning of a “widespread, prolonged and intense” heatwave.
Astronomical summer does not begin until Sunday, but the heatwave is already France’s second extreme temperature event of the year after an unusually hot spell in May that shattered local and national monthly temperature records.
Météo-France said temperatures were likely to average 36C in the north-west and 38C in the centre and south on Friday. After a slight dip on Saturday they are forecast to rise to 40C in many regions, including Paris, early next week.
Children cool off in the Saint-Martin canal in Paris. Photograph: Sadak Souici/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
With so much of the country affected, the agency said the national heat index, an average of the night and daytime temperatures recorded at 30 weather stations nationwide, could approach all-time highs on Sunday and Monday.
The power utility EDF has said four nuclear plants were likely to curb output next week because of high cooling water temperatures in the Rhône and Garonne rivers, and several municipalities have cancelled Sunday’s Fête de la Musique festivities.
A spokesperson for Spain’s state meteorological office, Aemet, said temperatures would reach 40C as the country entered “an episode of persistently high temperatures likely to meet the technical threshold for a heatwave”.
Rubén del Campo said temperatures were likely to exceed 35C across the Iberian peninsular and Balearics, hitting 40C in some southern parts – such as the Tagus, Guadiana and Guadalquivir valleys – but also in eastern Cantabria and the Ebro valley in the north.
Q&A
What is the current heatwave situation in France?
France is experiencing its second extreme heatwave of the year, with temperatures expected to exceed 40C and severe weather warnings issued for over half the population.
What precautions did Macron advise during the heatwave?
Emmanuel Macron called for extreme vigilance and urged citizens to take care of the elderly and vulnerable, following government advice.
How many people are affected by the heatwave in France?
The heatwave alert affects 53 of France's 96 mainland departments, impacting approximately 36 million people.
What incidents have occurred due to the heatwave in France?
A 30-year-old man died from cardiac arrest on an athletics track, and the rail operator SNCF canceled 71 intercity trains due to the extreme temperatures.
