All-time records in Germany and Luxembourg could also fall in continent-wide heatwave
All-time temperature records are set to be broken in major cities across Europe
39.1C
UK
On Thursday temperatures could exceed the all-time record of 38.5C, recorded in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003
Netherlands
Highest temperature record broken on Wednesday. Code orange extreme temperature warning issued
Faversham
London
38.9C
Belgium
Highest temperature record broken on Wednesday. Code red warning issued for entire country
41.2C
Bordeaux saw its highest ever temperature since records began of 41.2C on Tuesday
Paris
Record temperature of 42C possible for Thursday. Current record of 40.4Chas stood for more than 70 years
France
Golfech nuclear power plant
Two reactors shut down in an effort to limit the heating of water used to keep reactors cool
Spain
Code red warning issued in Zaragoza region, hit by its worst wildfires in 20 years last month
Netherlands and Belgium record highest ever temperatures
By Jon Henley
The Netherlands and Belgium have recorded their highest ever temperatures as the second extreme heatwave in consecutive months to be linked by scientists to the climate emergency advances across the continent.
The Dutch meteorological service, KNMI, said the temperature reached 39.1C(102F) at Gilze-Rijen airbase near the southern city of Tilburg on Wednesday afternoon, exceeding the previous high of 38.6C set in August 1944.
In Belgium, the temperature in Kleine-Brogel hit 38.9C, fractionally higher than the previous record of 38.8C set in June 1947. Forecasters said temperatures could climb further on Wednesday and again on Thursday.
“The most extreme heat will build from central and northern France into Belgium, the Netherlands and far-western Germany into Thursday,” said Eric Leister of the forecasting group AccuWeather, with new all-time highs also possible in Germany and Luxembourg.
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RECORD HEATWAVE STRIKES EUROPE
