Europe bakes under record May heat, 12C above average
London hit 32°C, Paris and Rome 31°C, as a heat dome traps African warmth over the continent for at least another week. Health authorities warn of rising mortality among elderly and vulnerable populations.
May 25th 2026 · World
An extraordinary early-season heat wave is gripping Western Europe, with temperatures soaring 12 to 13 degrees above seasonal averages across multiple countries including France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Spain. This weekend saw record-breaking readings for May, with London reaching 32 degrees Celsius, Paris and Rome both hitting 31 degrees, and southern Spain approaching 38 degrees. The extreme temperatures are expected to persist for at least seven additional days, according to meteorological forecasts. The phenomenon, scientifically termed a "heat dome" or "domo de calor," results from a blocking anticyclone that acts as a thermal lid, trapping warm air from North Africa and Spain over Western Europe. Meteored España explains that this high-pressure system continuously compresses descending air, pushing subtropical warmth toward central Europe. France's Météo-France weather agency has placed 18 departments, including Paris and much of the west, on yellow heat alert, while Spain's Aemet has issued similar warnings for six northern communities and the Canary Islands. In the United Kingdom, health authorities have issued amber alerts for London through Wednesday, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services and an expected rise in mortality among elderly and vulnerable populations. Météo-France noted that while this event cannot officially be classified as a "heat wave" under the Aemet's technical definition, which requires thresholds based on July and August temperature records to be exceeded for three consecutive days, experts warn of serious health risks from this sudden transition from cold to oppressive heat. The agency emphasized that such May heat waves are becoming more frequent due to climate change, stating they will occur earlier in the season and become increasingly intense. Europe remains the fastest-warming continent in the world, excluding the Arctic, making these extreme early-season temperature spikes consistent with broader climate trends.