Experts are urging Europeans to “brace themselves” as an exceptionally powerful and unusual heat dome has settled over Western and Central Europe, bringing temperatures never before seen this early in the year.
A massive upper-level ridge of high pressure stretching from Africa has created a persistent atmospheric “lid” that traps sinking air, causing it to compress, dry out, and rapidly warm. This has driven late-May temperatures as much as 29°F (16°C) above average, with readings reaching 95°F to 100°F (35°C to 38°C) in parts of Spain, Portugal, and France. London has already broken its historical May temperature records.
Because this extreme heat has arrived so early, communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems are poorly prepared. Scientists warn that early-season heatwaves are particularly dangerous, as people and systems have not yet acclimated to summer-like conditions. The risks include sharp increases in heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat-related deaths, especially among vulnerable populations, along with heightened wildfire threats and severe stress on crops.
Researchers note that climate change is making these blocking high-pressure patterns more frequent and intense. This historic late-May heat dome serves as a clear warning of what a warming world may bring more often in the future.
[Korosec, M. (2026). Heat Dome Update: Europe Braces for Record-Breaking Late May Heatwave. Severe Weather Europe]