France, Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic set June heat records, worst still to come – Spain battles worst Catalonia wildfire in 20 years
By Ian Livingston
26 June 2019
(The Washington Post) – A ferocious heat wave has overtaken parts of Europe. A number of records have already been broken, and there are several days of extreme heat to go.
As the heat wave escalates toward its peak late this week, temperatures have already neared or surpassed 100 degrees (37.8 degrees Celsius) in parts of France, Germany, Poland and Spain. Even Switzerland has seen locations rise toward the mid-90s.
France’s meteorological agency, Météo-France, tweeted that the country posted its hottest June day on record Wednesday, with an average high of 94.8 degrees (34.9 Celsius).
In Germany, a weather station in Berlin soared to 101.5 degrees (38.6 Celsius) Wednesday afternoon, becoming the hottest temperature recorded in the country during June.
Poland set its June temperature record, with a high of 100.8 degrees (38.2 Celsius) in Radzyń in the eastern part of the country. The Czech Republic also appears to have set a new June record with a temperature of 102 degrees (38.9 Celsius) in Doksany to the northwest of Prague.
It’s not just daytime temperatures that have been exceptionally warm. Temperatures at night have also been record-setting, presenting a dangerous situation for those without access to air-conditioning and vulnerable groups such as older adults and the very young.
The low temperature in Nice, on the French Riviera, was 78.8 degrees (26 Celsius) Wednesday, the warmest ever recorded in June. [more]
Spain battles huge wildfire amid scorching heatwave
By Ivana Kottasová
27 June 2019
(CNN) — Firefighters are battling a major forest blaze in north-eastern Spain as an intense heat wave continues to scorch continental Europe.
Around 10,000 acres of forest and other vegetation were affected by the fire near Tarragona in northeast Spain, according to the Catalan regional government.
Around 350 fire crew, 12 fire engines and a number of vehicles with large water tanks were at the scene, according to the Catalan fire brigade.
Seven aircraft, two hydroplanes and heavy machinery were also deployed, the fire service said. As of Thursday lunchtime, 53 people have been evacuated from the area, according to the regional government.
The firefighters said the blaze is one of the worst in Catalonia in the last 20 years. They warned it could spread to as much as two times its current area because of the harsh weather conditions and tough local terrain, that includes steep slopes and deep ridges. [more]
