France sets a record in the heat wave of Western Europe

On Thursday afternoon, the town of Saint Jean de Minervois in southern France reached 40 ° C (104 ° F). This is the earliest time the country (excluding Corsica) has ever reached 40 °, according to the meteorological service Meteo France.

Temperatures in Spain and France are well above average for several days and are expected to be the highest this weekend.

In Paris, it is predicted that Saturday could be the hottest June ever. Expected maximum temperatures (38-39 ° C, or 100-102 ° F) will break the record for the heat of June before the French capital set in 1947.

Climate scientists have previously warned that such heat waves are becoming more frequent and more serious due to the climate crisis. Since 2017, five of the top ten hottest June days in Paris have occurred.

Temperatures reached catastrophic levels in France in 2019 when Paris saw a record 42.6 ° C in July. According to the French Ministry of Health, 567 people died during the heat wave from June 24th to July 7th of that year. The second heat wave of the summer claimed the lives of another 868 people.

According to Réseaude Transport d’Électricité, only about 5% of French homes have access to A / C units, while about 85% of US homes.

This heat wave is wider in Europe The hottest summer on record last year..

Both India and the United States are currently fighting extreme heat. One-third of the US population Under a heat warning or recommendation.