By: Jessie Sha

France experienced the hottest May in history two months ago. During July, Poland in Eastern Europe is suffering from the extreme heat. Now, temperatures in Europe are skyrocketing again, causing wildfires fueled by the heat to burn in many countries. Many continents are in the pain of an extensive drought while there are still two months left of summer.

Scientists say that this stubborn extreme heat is staying as a keeping trend. However, heat waves in Europe are increasing in intensity and number faster than anywhere in the world.

Global warming does play a role in this and in the 19th century, temperatures were 2° Fahrenheit (1.1° Celsius) lower than average. The admission of carbon dioxide and other heat trapping gasses became more popular, and this caused temperatures to start higher and rise. The warming in the Arctic is also playing a role. Furthermore, there are more factors that make Europe the heat wave spot including atmospheric things and the ocean.

As scientists keep studying heat waves, they discovered that no two heat waves are the same. The current burning heat reached England and Wales on Monday, which was caused by low- pressured air. Low pressure air zones tend to draw more air to them. This is like hot air being pumped northward because the balmy air from North Africa was being drawn into Europe. If another heat wave hits Europe, their soil will dry out as it still has some moisture left. Next time a heat wave hits, the sun will be baking the surface and it will add to the heat.