Paris: A severe heatwave is sweeping across several European countries, particularly France, where seven deaths have been reported due to the extreme heat. Temperatures have suddenly soared, making it the hottest May on the country's record.

According to Thai News Agency, more than 350 weather stations across France broke records for May's highest temperatures, with the hottest spot being near the town of Osegors in the southwest, where temperatures soared to 37.1 degrees Celsius. Paris recorded temperatures of 31.9 degrees Celsius, surprising many tourists with its extreme heat on Tuesday. In Brittany, in the northwest, an orange heat warning was issued for the first time in May.

French media reports at least seven deaths from the extreme heat in France. Five of the deaths were attributed to swimming in rivers, lakes, and beaches to cool off, while two others died from sudden cardiac arrest and heatstroke while playing outdoor sports. As a result, the government has ordered local authorities to increase safety measures, particularly for outdoor activities and sporting events. Organizers are required to urgently deploy additional water stations and mobile medical units.

This unusual weather phenomenon is caused by a large "heat dome," a condition where a high-pressure system in the atmosphere acts like a lid, trapping hot air moving from North Africa and compressing it towards the surface of Western Europe. This results in temperatures soaring 10-15 degrees Celsius above the normal seasonal average.

France isn't the only country facing unusually hot weather from a heat dome; the UK also recorded its highest May temperature ever, with temperatures soaring to nearly 35 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while London alone exceeded 30 degrees Celsius. Italy also experienced its first major heatwave of the year on Tuesday, with temperatures expected to peak on Wednesday, potentially exceeding 34-35 degrees Celsius in several major cities, particularly in Tuscany and Umbria. These unusually high temperatures are sweeping across much of the country due to a severe high-pressure system covering Europe.

However, the first signs of cooler weather may begin on Thursday, when a cold air mass from northern Europe is expected to weaken the high-pressure system, bringing with it the possibility of thunderstorms.

Climate scientists emphasize that such an early heatwave would be virtually impossible without human-induced climate change factors. Experts also note that the heatwave season is expanding, meaning that extremely hot summer weather will increasingly encroach throughout April, May, and October.