European heatwave breaks UK and French temperature records (opens in new tab)

A severe early-summer heatwave broke records across western Europe on June 24. The UK provisionally recorded 36.1C in Gosport, Hampshire, its hottest June day on record, while France’s national heat index reached 30C, its highest average day-and-night reading since measurements began in 1947. Spain also recorded its hottest June daily average since at least 1950, and Paris reached nearly 41C as red heat alerts covered large parts of the continent. Authorities closed schools or shortened class...