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Europe heatwave: French city of Bordeaux hits record temperature Europe heatwave: French city of Bordeaux hits record temperature
(about 2 hours later)
The French city of Bordeaux has hit its highest temperature since records began, according to the country's national forecaster. The French city of Bordeaux has hit its highest temperature since records began, as Western Europe braces for the second heatwave to hit this summer.
On Tuesday, Meteo France registered 41.2C (106.1F) in the south-western city, breaking a 2003 record of 40.7C.On Tuesday, Meteo France registered 41.2C (106.1F) in the south-western city, breaking a 2003 record of 40.7C.
Forecasters predict a record-breaking run across Europe this week in the continent's second summer heatwave. Forecasters predict a record-breaking run across Europe this week, including Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
A World Meteorological Organization spokesperson said the heatwaves bore "the hallmark of climate change". A World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman said the heatwaves bore "the hallmark of climate change".
"As we saw in June they are becoming more frequent, they're starting earlier and they're becoming more intense," Claire Nullis added. "It's not a problem that's going to go away.""As we saw in June they are becoming more frequent, they're starting earlier and they're becoming more intense," Claire Nullis added. "It's not a problem that's going to go away."
How hot could it get?How hot could it get?
Much of France has been issued with an orange alert - the second highest level of warning.Much of France has been issued with an orange alert - the second highest level of warning.
Meteo France said Paris temperatures might hit new highs on Thursday. The record, set in 1947, stands at 40.4C.Meteo France said Paris temperatures might hit new highs on Thursday. The record, set in 1947, stands at 40.4C.
Comparisons have been drawn to a heat wave France experienced in August 2003, during which heat contributed to almost 15,000 deaths. Comparisons have been drawn to a heatwave France experienced in August 2003, during which heat contributed to almost 15,000 deaths.
The mercury is also expected to climb to 40C in a string of countries:The mercury is also expected to climb to 40C in a string of countries:
What preparations are being made?
To limit the heating of water used to keep its nuclear reactors cool, French energy firm EDF said it would be shutting two reactors at the Golftech nuclear power plant in the southern Tarn-et-Garonne region.
Ice foot baths and extra water points are being made available to cyclists competing in the Tour de France - which is entering its final week - to avoid dehydration.
The French government is outlawing animal transportation "for economic reasons" between 13:00 (11:00 GMT) and 18:00 in areas affected by heat alerts.
How high have temperatures been already?How high have temperatures been already?
The French weather service has reported temperatures of 42C in areas of the south-west. It is expected the heat will not dip below 20C for the rest of the week.The French weather service has reported temperatures of 42C in areas of the south-west. It is expected the heat will not dip below 20C for the rest of the week.
To limit the heating of water used to keep its nuclear reactors cool, French energy firm EDF said it would be shutting two reactors at the Golftech nuclear power plant in the southern Tarn-et-Garonne region.
An intense heatwave swept through areas of Europe last month, making it the hottest June on record.An intense heatwave swept through areas of Europe last month, making it the hottest June on record.
France set an all-time high-temperature record, and new June highs were set in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Andorra, Luxembourg, Poland, and Germany.France set an all-time high-temperature record, and new June highs were set in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Andorra, Luxembourg, Poland, and Germany.
Is climate change to blame?Is climate change to blame?
Linking a single event to global warming is complicated. While extreme weather events like heatwaves occur naturally, experts say these will happen more often because of climate change.Linking a single event to global warming is complicated. While extreme weather events like heatwaves occur naturally, experts say these will happen more often because of climate change.
Records going back to the late 19th Century show that the average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by about one degree since industrialisation.Records going back to the late 19th Century show that the average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by about one degree since industrialisation.
A climatology institute in Potsdam, Germany, says Europe's five hottest summers since 1500 have all been in the 21st Century.A climatology institute in Potsdam, Germany, says Europe's five hottest summers since 1500 have all been in the 21st Century.
Scientists are concerned that rapid warming linked to use of fossil fuels has serious implications for the stability of the planet's climate.Scientists are concerned that rapid warming linked to use of fossil fuels has serious implications for the stability of the planet's climate.