Historic May heat in Europe: three dead during amateur races

A historic "heat dome" has gripped Western Europe, leading to severe temperature anomalies in the UK, France, and Spain, breaking dozens of May records and triggering the first major heatwave of the year. Three people died during amateur sporting events in France, and health risk warnings were issued for tens of millions.

Record temperatures – from London to Landes

On Monday, May 25, the British meteorological service "Met Office" confirmed that at "Kew Gardens" in southwest London, the temperature reached 34.8°C, 2°C above the previous absolute May record for the country. The previous maximum of 32.8°C dated back to 1922 and was matched in 1944.

A new May record was also registered in Wales – 32.2°C, and on the night leading into Sunday, the temperature in the UK did not drop below 19.4°C, making it the warmest May night since records began.

France also experienced unprecedented heat. The national meteorological service "Météo France" reported that over 350 locations recorded absolute May maximums. In the "Hossegor" area of the Landes department in the southwest, temperatures reached 37.1°C, and in the western cities of "Niort" and "Nantes", the mercury climbed above 35°C.

Meteorologists described the phenomenon as "unprecedented," noting that according to climate data for the 1979–2025 period, the probability of such an anomaly occurring in May is approximately "one in a thousand."

Three heat victims during amateur races in France

Over the weekend, extreme temperatures led to tragic incidents at amateur sporting events in France. In the 20th arrondissement of Paris, a 53-year-old runner died of a heart attack during a Sunday marathon.

In the suburb of "Maisons-Alfort", another man died during a 10-kilometer run, and ten other participants were hospitalized in critical condition. In "Lyon", a woman died of heatstroke during another race.

French Minister of Sports "Marina Ferrari" called for increased caution, writing on "X": "The events that occurred today during the running races remind us: practicing sports in conditions of extreme heat requires absolute vigilance."

"Météo France" activated a high-temperature warning system in 31 departments. For the first time since its introduction in 2004, this system was triggered as early as May.

The heat dome to persist for several more days

According to meteorologists, the anomalous heat is the result of a so-called "heat dome" – a vast zone of high atmospheric pressure that traps hot air coming from North Africa. This has led to temperatures 12–16°C above the seasonal norm in large parts of Western Europe.

On Tuesday, "Deutsche Welle" reported that tens of millions of people are exposed to conditions more characteristic of the height of summer than the end of May.

According to the "BBC" forecast, temperatures in England could have reached 35°C on Tuesday, followed by expected thunderstorms in the evening and a gradual drop to the "high 20s" by Friday.

The Spanish state meteorological service "Aemet" warned that the situation in the country could further deteriorate, with values up to 40°C expected on Thursday and Friday – a level that until recently was considered practically unthinkable for the month of May.

Climatologists: extended heat season is a sign of climate crisis

Climatologist "Robert Vautard" stated in an interview with "AFP" that "the expansion of the season of anomalous heat is fully consistent with the consequences of climate change". According to him, in the future, such phenomena could begin as early as April and last until October.

Experts believe the frequency and intensity of heatwaves will continue to rise if global greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically reduced. This latest heatwave in Europe is seen as yet another warning about the need for cities, infrastructure, and health systems to adapt to the new climate reality.