Portugal has set a new national record for the hottest day in May, with a temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius recorded in the central town of Mora. The reading, logged on Wednesday, surpasses the previous record of 40°C set in May 2001.
Across Western Europe, the extreme heat is disrupting daily life. In France, ministers convened an emergency meeting to assess preparedness for heatwaves, focusing on forest fire prevention and water supplies. A primary school in the Landes region closed after indoor temperatures hit 53°C earlier this week. Despite criticism from unions, the government is proceeding with baccalaureate exams, allowing centers to choose shadier rooms.
Italian authorities have issued a red heatwave alert for Rome and several other cities, including Florence, Bologna, Brescia, and Turin. This is the first such alert of the year, warning of potential health risks even for healthy, active individuals. Temperatures in Rome are expected to reach 32°C on Thursday.
At the French Open in Paris, world number one Jannik Sinner exited the tournament after suffering from dizziness and lethargy, saying the heat got the better of him.
The heatwave is expected to continue into the weekend, affecting Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. Madrid is forecast to reach 35°C over the weekend. Scientists attribute the immediate cause to a "heat dome" trapping warm air, and note that climate change is making such extreme weather events more frequent and intense. The UN has warned that global average temperatures are likely to remain near record levels for the next four years.