Early European heat wave shatters May temperature records, killing several people across the continent

A heat dome — a persistent high-pressure system that traps warm air — settled over Western Europe in late May, producing temperatures 10 to 15 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms in parts of the continent, according to both CNN and the Associated Press. Météo-France described the heat as "unprecedented" for this time of year, and Spain's weather service AEMET reported "extraordinarily high temperatures for the time of year," with the city of Seville reaching 38 C over the weekend, according to the AP.

In the UK, the Met Office recorded 34.8 C at Kew Gardens on Monday, shattering the previous May record by 2 degrees Celsius — an unusually large margin, CNN noted, since heat records are typically broken by only fractions of a degree. London experienced a "tropical night," in which temperatures did not fall below 20 C, and the Met Office forecast a possible 35 C on Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency issued an amber health alert through Thursday, warning of risk particularly to older people, according to the AP.

At least four people died in apparent drownings in UK lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters, the AP reported. In France, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said at least seven deaths were potentially linked to the heat, including five drownings and two deaths during sports events. A 53-year-old man died during a running event in Paris and a woman died at a Hyrox event in Lyon, the AP and CNN both reported, citing local media. France's Minister of Sports, Marina Ferrari, said the deaths were "a stark reminder that practicing sports in extreme heat requires absolute vigilance," according to CNN.