Europe swelters in record early summer temperatures

Wildfires and evacuations as heatwave grips continent and Mediterranean is recorded at 30C, putting marine life at risk

- ALASTAIR JAMIESON

Mediterranean Sea temperatures surged in a marine heatwave last month, putting some species under threat as Europe swelters under record-setting and deadly hot weather.

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said sea surface temperatures on 22 June were more than 5C above the seasonal average. Waters off Spain hit a record 30C yesterday, according to Spanish forecaster Aemet.

It comes after the summit of Mont Blanc, western Europe’s highest mountain, remained above freezing for a whole day for the first time in history - another hint at the pace of climate change.

Italy limited outdoor work, France closed schools and Turkey battled wildfires yesterday in a heatwave that meteorologists said was “exceptional” for arriving so early in summer.

Spain confirmed its hottest June on record, while temperatures passed 40C in some of its cities yesterday.

Europe is known to be heating up at twice the global average speed and is the world's fastest-warming continent, according to Copernicus.

“What is exceptional ... but not unprecedented, is the time of year,” said World Meteorological Organization spokesperson Clare Nullis.