Europe’s temperature turns east as France raises health alert to highest level.

Some western regions in France are bracing for severe thunderstorms from Thursday afternoon.

Gusts of up to 110 km/h (68 mph) are expected along France’s Atlantic coast, and the first day of the Garroque festival has been canceled in the Lotte-Garonne region – with temperatures expected to reach 42C.

Climate change is raising temperatures around the world – but especially in Europe. According to the Copernicus Climate Service, it is warming twice as fast as the global average.

This is leading to increased summer temperatures, greater pressure on Europe’s water supplies and more intense wildfires. More than 1 million hectares burned in Europe last year – a record level – with Spain particularly affected.

Although temperatures in Spain could soar to 38-39C in some areas on Thursday, forecasters say cooler Atlantic air is coming in the southern city of Andujar after the highest June temperature of 45.1C was recorded this week.

in GermanyThe overnight temperature in Bad Bergzabern, in the southwest, did not drop below 26.2C on Wednesday night, equaling the national temperature record for 2019.

Germany’s DWD weather service said large areas of the country were experiencing “heat stress,” and DWD meteorologist Oliver Reuter said it was “highly likely” the heat wave would ultimately be historic.

Luxembourg The highest June temperature of 38.3C was recorded in Wormeldingen on Wednesday. A red alert level for “extreme heat stress” has been extended in the Grand Duchy until Saturday night.

in GermanyThe Hamburg half-marathon has been canceled on Sunday and national train operator Deutsche Bahn is offering free ticket cancellations for the next few days to anyone who doesn’t want to travel because of the intense heat. Czech Railways has told passengers that they should consider rescheduling their journeys if they do not have to travel.

Most of it Northern and Southern Switzerland The highest weather warning was issued by Meteo Suisse, which warned of “extreme drought conditions”.

Throughout the temperature Czech Republic It was in the 30s on Thursday and the ČHMÚ Hydrometeor Institute says it will warm up on Friday, with temperatures reaching 40C by the end of the week.