Europe Braces for Fifth UK Heatwave as Spain Records Hottest July
Europe Faces Successive Heatwaves and Drought
Parts of Britain and France are under extreme heat warnings with temperatures forecast to reach the mid-30s Celsius this week following record-breaking June and July temperatures that sparked wildfires, dried rivers and contributed to thousands of deaths. [1] Many parts of Europe are bracing for another heatwave after record-breaking temperatures in June and July sparked wildfires, dried out rivers and contributed to thousands of deaths. [1] Parts of Britain and France on Monday were already under extreme heat warnings with forecasts of temperatures around the mid-30 degrees Celsius. [1] Britain has imposed irrigation restrictions on farmers and hosepipe bans affecting more than 27 million people under water-use restrictions. [1] The British government has imposed irrigation restrictions on farmers and introduced a hosepipe ban in some regions, with more than 27 million people living under water-use restrictions as Britain prepares for its fifth consecutive heatwave this year. [1] France has water-use restrictions on 70 percent of the country. [1] Meanwhile in France, water-use restrictions have been applied on 70 percent of the country as drought conditions worsen amid successive heatwaves, the government said Monday. [1] Restrictions apply to activities such as watering gardens and green spaces, filling swimming pools, washing cars and irrigating crops. [1] We know the hot and dry weather is taking a real toll on farming and there will be long-lasting impacts on our environment, said the British Environment Agency’s Director of Sustainable Business and Development Tony Grayling. [1]
Spain's Record Heat and Major Wildfires
Spain recorded its joint-hottest and driest July since 1961, with only 4.3 mm of rain, fueling its largest recent wildfire in Andalusia where nearly 500 people were evacuated. [1] Spain’s national weather agency AEMET said on Monday Spain recorded the joint-hottest July since records began in 1961, after scorching temperatures fuelled the country’s biggest wildfire in recent history. [1] Last month was also mainland Spain’s driest July on record as 4.3 millimetres of rain fell, which represented just 26 percent of the normal precipitation for the time of year. [1] The parched conditions are fuelling wildfires in Greece and Spain, including in Andalusia where firefighters are struggling to put out blazes. [1] Andalusia’s emergencies chief, Antonio Sanz, told reporters that extinguishing fires around the medieval town of Niebla was akin to a long-distance obstacle race and was expected to last several days. [1] Sanz said nearly 500 people have been evacuated from the area. [1]
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Impacts on Agriculture, Rivers and Shipping
Low water levels on Germany's Rhine river will soon prevent commercial shipping from navigating parts of it, effectively dividing the river. [1] The BDB association, an inland shipping group, warned that vessels will soon not be able to navigate parts of the Rhine river in Germany as water levels drop further due to soaring summer temperatures and low rainfall. [1] With water levels this low, commercial shipping will no longer be able to transport goods in the region, the group’s managing director Jens Schwanen told the Rheinische Post newspaper. [1] In principle, this means the Rhine is no longer continuously navigable and thus divided in two. [1] Britain has imposed irrigation restrictions on farmers and hosepipe bans affecting more than 27 million people under water-use restrictions. [1] France has water-use restrictions on 70 percent of the country. [1] Restrictions apply to activities such as watering gardens and green spaces, filling swimming pools, washing cars and irrigating crops. [1] We know the hot and dry weather is taking a real toll on farming and there will be long-lasting impacts on our environment, said the British Environment Agency’s Director of Sustainable Business and Development Tony Grayling. [1]
Severe Thunderstorms Strike Maryland
Severe thunderstorms with 60 mph wind gusts prompted warnings in Anne Arundel, Dorchester, Cecil and Charles counties in Maryland, threatening trees, power lines, homes, vehicles and causing possible power outages. [2] [3] [4] [5] At 546 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Shady Side to near Deale to near Dunkirk, moving east at 20 mph. [2] Hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts with source radar indicated. [2] Impact includes damaging winds that will cause some trees and large branches to fall, which could injure those outdoors as well as damage homes and vehicles, roadways may become blocked by downed trees, localized power outages are possible and unsecured light objects may become projectiles. [2] At 545 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Cheswold to Hallowing Point, moving southeast at 35 mph. [3] Hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts with source radar indicated. [3] Impact includes expect damage to trees and powerlines. [3] Severe thunderstorms will be near Taylors Island and University Of Maryland Center. [3] At 545 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Cecilton, or 9 miles southeast of Aberdeen Proving Ground, moving east at 15 mph. [4] Hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts with source radar indicated. [4] Impact includes damaging winds that will cause some trees and large branches to fall, which could injure those outdoors as well as damage homes and vehicles, roadways may become blocked by downed trees, localized power outages are possible and unsecured light objects may become projectiles. [4] At 545 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Dahlgren, moving east at 45 mph. [5] Hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts with source radar indicated. [5] Impact includes damaging winds that will cause some trees and large branches to fall, which could injure those outdoors as well as damage homes and vehicles, roadways may become blocked by downed trees, localized power outages are possible and unsecured light objects may become projectiles. [5]
Broader Climate Context
Europe is the fastest-warming continent on the planet due to climate change. [1] Soaring temperatures are also forecast in Switzerland, Austria and Hungary. [1] Europe is experiencing a fifth consecutive heatwave this summer with extreme heat warnings in Britain and France, record July temperatures in Spain, worsening droughts, wildfires and dropping river levels, while severe thunderstorms with 60 mph winds moved through parts of Maryland. [1]
What to watch next: Extreme heat warnings remain in place across Britain and France with temperatures forecast to reach the mid-30s Celsius, while vessels will soon not be able to navigate parts of the Rhine river in Germany as water levels drop further.
