France Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu Holds Crisis Meeting as Heatwave Warnings Expand

A heatwave intensifying across Europe is triggering weather warnings, with the UK facing “tropical night” temperatures and a chance it could record its highest-ever temperature for June next week.

The Met Office says low 30s are likely in southern England on Sunday before the heat is expected to “expand and intensify” on Monday and Tuesday, with humidity set to be higher than last month’s heatwave.

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In France, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu called a crisis meeting with 14 of his ministers as red and amber heat warnings were active in 80 of the country’s departments.

An AFP count cited by Sky News says around 53.5 million people, or more than three-quarters of the French population, are affected by red and amber warnings on Sunday.

The Sky News report also notes that the heatwave could be as long and severe as the one in August 2003 if predictions prove accurate.

The Met Office has expanded its amber extreme heat warning for Monday and Tuesday as forecasts suggest temperatures could climb to 36 or 37C in parts of the UK.

The BBC says the warning means there are likely to be widespread impacts on people and infrastructure, with the risk of adverse health effects and disruption to travel.

BBC

The BBC also reports that some locations could see temperatures above 30C for six or seven consecutive days, with overnight temperatures remaining above 20C in places.

In parallel, the Independent says the Met Office issued an amber weather warning for extreme heat in the East of England, London and South East England, South West England, and Wales on Monday and Tuesday as temperatures are set to reach a sweltering 37C.

The Independent quotes UKHSA head of extreme events and health protection Dr Agostinho Sousa urging “everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.”

The BBC warns that the combination of hot days and very warm nights is likely to bring a range of impacts, including risks to health especially for elderly and vulnerable people.

“The Met Office has expanded its amber extreme heat warning for Monday and Tuesday as forecasts suggest temperatures could climb to 36 or 37C (97-99F) in parts of the UK”

BBC

It adds that people are being urged to take extra care when in and around open water, when at the coast or close to rivers and lakes, because of the risk of conditions such as sunstroke and heat exhaustion.

The Guardian reports that the UKHSA’s warning means a rise in deaths is likely in areas including London, the south-east, the south-west and the east of England, particularly among those aged 65 or over or with health conditions.

The Guardian also quotes Royal National Lifeboat Institution water safety manager Ross MacLeod saying “Cold water shock is a real danger,” and urges people to enter the water slowly to acclimatise.

In Spain and beyond, Sky News says temperatures of 37-39C are expected on Tuesday across the interior of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, with 40-42C in the Tagus, Guadiana, and Guadalquivir valleys according to AEMET.