By: Andrew Lou

Last Friday, France, and Spain recorded some of their hottest temperatures ever. The State Meteorological Agency in Spain called it “the earliest major heat wave in more than 40 years.” Authorities in France noted that they had never surpassed 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) this early in June. With more than five states in the U.S. experiencing temperatures higher than 100 degrees F, the heat wave is breaking records worldwide.

In London, Michael Finch, a 33-year-old lawyer who was pulling luggage, carrying a five-liter water bottle, and playing to type, advised people to ensure they have plenty of water and “look forward to getting out the other side.”

This dangerous European heat wave was caused by hot air blowing in from Africa, causing temperatures to skyrocket.

According to The Washington Post, it was so hot in Ascot, England, that British racecourse officials had to relax their dress code which was known for being strict. They allowed men to remove their jackets and ties in all enclosures.

With France recording their hottest June temperatures on record, two locations also observed their hottest-ever day on record, according to The Washington Post. The town of Pisces in southwestern France hit 107 degrees F (41.7 degrees C), while Revel hit 104 degrees F (40.2 degrees C).

The Washington Post reported that Spain, too, experienced significant heat changes: “In Spain’s Valencia province, temperatures on Wednesday and Friday were some of the hottest for June since 1950. The Valencia airport set a June high on Friday at 102 degrees F (39 degrees C), beating the mark set in 2017. One of the highest temperatures recorded in this heat wave occurred in Andujar in southern Spain, which hit 111.5 degrees F (44.2 degrees C) on Friday.”

“This is the type of thing that climate scientists were warning about, and unfortunately, it does look like this is going to become more common,” said Alex Burkill, a senior meteorologist.

Temperatures have gotten so extreme that authorities issued dozens of heat warnings in Spain, putting nearly the entire country under ‘extreme risk’ of wildfire. While firefighters try to contain the blazes already underway, thousands of people have been evacuated.

This heat wave affected not only humans but animals, too. Hundreds of baby birds in southern Spain died too early after leaving their scorching nests. The Washington Post informed its readers that scientists are worried about the situation: “Scientists said Spain’s earliest heat wave had coincided with the hatching season for swifts, a protected species. Biologist Elena Morena Portillo [said] that birds build enclosed nests in the cavities of buildings, which are often made of concrete or metal. ‘So, it becomes an oven, and the chicks, who can’t fly yet, rush out because they can’t stand the temperature inside,’ Moreno Portillo said. ‘They’re being cooked.’”

Water levels are also affected by heat. Italy’s Po, the country’s largest river, is so low that shipwrecks resurface. Authorities in northern Italy are increasingly concerned about the possibility of water shortages.

Hannah Cloke, a climate scientist at the University of Reading, said Britain was “really not prepared” for extreme heat. Cloke said British buildings are “not built to help keep people cool.” “People aren’t taking it very seriously. They think about ice creams and having fun, but they aren’t seeing the risk for vulnerable people,” she said. Hundreds of people in Britain die every year from heat waves.