Paris, France. Three people in France died from health issues caused by extreme heat as authorities across Europe issued heatwave warnings for Monday. In France, nearly 2,700 schools were set to close or modify timetables as temperatures were expected to remain dangerously high.
France faces extreme temperatures
Temperatures in Bordeaux in southwestern France were forecast to exceed 42 degrees Celsius on Monday. Meteo France said 49 regional administrative areas would be under a red heatwave warning on Monday.
French Health Minister Stephanie Rist told TF1 that several days of very hot weather were expected and that it was not yet known when temperatures would start to fall.
Spain issues red alert
In Spain, state weather agency Aemet issued a red alert for the Basque country, with temperatures in San Sebastian expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, nearly double the historic average for the time of year, according to the Reuters Climate Monitor.
Aemet spokesperson Rubén del Campo said temperatures were running between 5 and 10 degrees above normal for the season, and in some northern areas more than 10 degrees above average.
Aemet also said nighttime temperatures were offering little relief in some parts of Spain, with lows staying above 25 degrees Celsius or even 30 degrees Celsius in places such as the southwestern province of Almeria.
Europe records highest deviation from historic norms
According to the Reuters Climate Monitor, Europe on Monday was the continent furthest from its historic norm, with an average high temperature of 24 degrees Celsius, 4.1 degrees above the typical level for 1961-1990. By comparison, Asia and North America were 2 degrees and 1.3 degrees above the historic norm.
Wildlife shelters report surge in heat-stricken animals
Wildlife shelters in northern Europe were also struggling with the number of animals being brought in suffering from the heat. Romaine de Jaegere, a biologist and founder of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Animals Living in the Wild wildlife refuge in Temploux, Belgium, said birds such as swifts, swallows, sparrows and starlings had been particularly affected.
She said the birds, which nest in roof eaves, were exposed to roof temperatures that can reach 50 to 60 degrees Celsius, prompting them to jump from nests rather than remain in the heat. De Jaegere said the shelter had received 150 animals in the last three days.
