Paris Heat Wave Set to Peak Before Sunday Brings Relief
(Bloomberg) -- The record-breaking heat wave scorching Europe is forecast to peak over the next two days in Paris, but relief is on the horizon.
Daytime highs could reach 35C in the French capital Friday and Saturday, according to government forecaster Météo-France. Health authorities have linked at least seven deaths to the extreme temperatures, which have also hit tennis players and spectators at the French Open. Amber warnings have been issued in Paris and western France.
The early season heat wave, driven by a high-pressure heat dome, is raising concerns about Europe’s ability to adapt to extreme conditions across the fastest-warming continent. Meteorologists say long-term weather models support more extreme temperatures, drought and heat waves in the months ahead.
The City of Paris has opened air-conditioned rooms in all of the capital’s 20 district townhalls, and public libraries and museums were also welcoming visitors to take refuge. The city has also opened 1,400 public cooling centers at parks and other municipal sites and installed large public canopies to provide shade.
Parisians and tourists are also cooling off in Jardins du Trocadéro opposite the Eiffel Tower and ignoring swimming restrictions to take a dip in the Canal Saint-Martin.
The sweltering conditions have proved a formidable opponent at the French Open. Czech tennis star Jakub Mensik collapsed on the court earlier this week and left the Roland-Garros Stadium in a wheelchair, wrapped with ice packs. Grounds crews cooled spectators with hoses between matches. Medical teams have responded to at least 40 heat-related calls at the stadium, according to TF1.
The heat wave has triggered train disruptions, especially on the southeast rail network, where high temperatures caused overhead electrical wires to slacken, according to BFMTV, citing Jean Castex, chief executive officer of SNCF.
The heat dome has blocked clouds, leading to exceptionally sunny skies that have seen solar generation boom and drive power prices below zero.
Intraday power prices on Epex Spot rose on Friday, trading above €150 per megawatt-hour for the 9 p.m. evening peak when cooling demand often picks up. This compares to lows below €10 around midday when solar generation weighed on prices.
The heat wave eclipsed temperature records in the UK, France, Spain and Portugal as it settled across western Europe earlier this week. However, it’s forecast to break this weekend as an Atlantic weather system approaches the continent.
“It has been an exceptional week of heat, but all is set to change,” said Annie Shuttleworth, a meteorologist with the UK Met Office.
Cooler westerly winds have already eased temperatures in the UK and near the Atlantic coast in France. Much cooler conditions are expected across France by Sunday.
(Updates with details throughout)
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