Deadly Omega heatwave shatters records across Europe

Workplaces also adjusted. Construction firms shifted hours to avoid peak heat, and French farmers introduced night harvesting to reduce fire risk.

Western Europe remained locked in a punishing heatwave on Wednesday that has broken records, killed dozens, disrupted schools and transport, and devastated farms.

France endured its hottest day since records began nearly 80 years ago, with temperatures peaking at 44.3 degrees Celsius in the southwestern town of Pissos. Authorities worked to restore electricity to thousands of homes in Brittany after power cuts. At least 48 people drowned while seeking relief in rivers and canals, and two young children died in a car. Poultry farms in Brittany and the Pays de la Loire reported hundreds of thousands of bird deaths, forcing farmers to bury carcasses under strict environmental checks. Nuclear plants reduced output by 7 percent due to limited cooling water.

Italy’s health ministry issued its highest heat alert for 16 cities including Rome, Florence and Milan. Britain prepared for its hottest June day on record, with the Met Office issuing only its second extreme-heat warning in history. Hundreds of schools closed or shortened classes. Spain reported two elderly deaths from heatstroke after temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius earlier in the week.

The rare weather pattern known as an Omega block is driving the crisis. Shaped like the Greek letter Ω, it traps hot air in the center while cooler conditions remain on the fringes. Meteorologists said temperatures were up to 18 degrees Celsius above normal. The World Meteorological Organization has warned that Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, making prolonged heat episodes increasingly likely.

Daily life across the continent has been reshaped. Paris Fashion Week shows were rescheduled to mornings, while the Eiffel Tower closed early. Buckingham Palace scaled back its Changing of the Guard ceremony. In Munich, beer garden staff reported unbearable conditions near roasting spits. The Netherlands cancelled outdoor sports and scaled down public transport, while Switzerland offered free air-conditioned cinema screenings.

Workplaces also adjusted. Construction firms shifted hours to avoid peak heat, and French farmers introduced night harvesting to reduce fire risk. Retailers reported surging demand for fans, air conditioners, sunscreen and ice cream. Tesco said sunscreen sales were expected to rise by more than 70 percent this week.

Italy braced for worsening conditions, with forecasts predicting temperatures of 41 degrees Celsius in Tuscany and Emilia and perceived temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius in Liguria due to humidity. Tourists in Rome and Vatican City queued under umbrellas and improvised head coverings, gathering around fountains for water.

The deadly heatwave has underscored Europe’s vulnerability to climate extremes, with the Omega block locking in record-breaking temperatures and forcing governments, businesses and citizens to adapt to conditions that scientists warn will become increasingly common.