May heatwave breaks records in Europe, thunderstorms hit Australia
The Story
A single-source report from The Guardian states that a May heatwave across Europe broke temperature records in the UK, Ireland and France, with the French government attributing seven deaths to the heat. Separately, severe thunderstorm warnings have been in effect in southeastern and eastern Australia, with flash flood warnings and reports of heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Key Facts
- The UK surpassed its May maximum temperature record on Tuesday, with 35.1°C recorded at Kew Gardens, London, breaking the previous record of 34.8°C set the day before. The prior record was 32.8°C from 1922 and matched in 1944.
- Ireland broke its May maximum temperature, with 28.8°C recorded at weather stations in Killarney and Clonmel.
- Overnight on Tuesday, Camborne in south-west England dropped only to 21.4°C, marking a tropical night (temperatures above 20°C).
- France reached 36°C on Monday and Tuesday, the hottest May days on record. A French government spokesperson said the heat had been responsible for seven deaths, directly or indirectly.
- Temperatures across parts of Europe are around 10–15°C above average for this time of year, and will remain 5–10°C above average through the rest of the week, moderating for the UK next week.
- Severe thunderstorm warnings were in effect across south-eastern and eastern Australia into Friday, issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), for damaging winds, heavy rainfall, hail, and flash floods.
- Dayboro, Queensland recorded 50mm within a 30-minute period on Wednesday; Narrabi, New South Wales recorded a wind gust of 65mph (104kph) on Wednesday.
- The BoM said six-hourly rainfall totals could reach 40–70mm, with locally perhaps closer to 100mm for the Mid North Coast, Upper Hunter and adjacent districts in New South Wales by the end of the week.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
How the seven deaths in France were directly or indirectly caused by the heat is not specified in the article.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- French government spokesperson (name not provided)
- Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), Australia
Sources: The Guardian
