Latest news with #RamónPascual
National Observer
2 days ago
- Climate
- National Observer
Europe sizzles and the Eiffel Tower's summit shuts down
Europe sizzled in its first major heat wave of the summer on Tuesday, as Barcelona recorded its hottest June in over a century and the summit of Paris' iconic Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors. Health warnings remained in effect in several countries. The abnormally hot weather 'is exposing millions of Europeans to high heat stress' with temperatures more typical of July and August, said Samantha Burgess of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Spain: Record temperatures Barcelona's Fabra Observatory reported an average temperature for last month of 26 C (78 F), breaking records since the data began in 1914. It said a single-day high of 37.9 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) for June was recorded Monday. Barcelona is usually spared the worst heat in Spain, thanks to its location between hills and the Mediterranean. Ramón Pascual, a delegate for Spain's weather service in Barcelona, told The Associated Press the "very intense heat wave' is clearly linked to global warming. Pascual said inhabitants of the Mediterranean region are not being helped by the rising sea temperatures, which greatly reduce any cooling effects of a nearby body of water. Spain's weather service said recent surface temperatures for the Mediterranean near the Balearic Islands are 5 to 6 degrees Celsius higher than average. Europe sizzles and the Eiffel Tower's summit closes. Spain's national average for June of 23.6 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit) was 0.8 C hotter than the previous hottest June in 2017. Madrid was forecast to reach 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit). 'We're just surviving,' said Miguel Sopera, 63. 'At night it's impossible due to the terrible heat.' France: Closed schools Temperatures were forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Paris. National weather agency Météo-France placed several departments under the highest red alert. More than 1,300 schools were partially or fully closed. Visitors to the Eiffel Tower without tickets were told to postpone their visits as the summit was closed until Thursday for "everyone's comfort and safety.' Climate experts warn that future summers are likely to be hotter than any recorded to date, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius expected every year by 2100. Italy: A blackout Italy's health ministry said 17 of the country's 27 major cities were experiencing a heat wave. In Florence, where temperatures reached 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, parts of the city center experienced a blackout following a surge in electricity demand. Backup systems restored power, energy company Enel said. Near Bologna, the 46-year-old owner of a construction company collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, state-run RAI reported. An autopsy was being conducted but heat was suspected. The Netherlands: Water gun fight In the Dutch town of Soest, first responders said they were bringing a fire hose to an evening water gun fight. 'Bring your water pistol and swimming clothes with you, because you're guaranteed to get soaked!' the firefighters said on social media. Portugal: A record high The weather service in a statement Monday night confirmed the highest single temperature ever recorded in mainland Portugal for the month of June at 46.6 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) on June 29 in the town of Mora, west of Lisbon. Turkey: Wildfires Firefighters across Turkey tried to contain wildfires that have forced the evacuation of some 50,000 residents for the third consecutive day. Czech Republic: Polar bears Temperatures were expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) by Wednesday in parts of the Czech Republic. The Prague zoo distributed up to 10 metric tons of ice, with special attention given to polar bears. Zoo director Miroslav Bobek said twin brother bears Aleut and Gregor discovered frozen pieces of squid.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Climate
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Europe Sizzles and Eiffel Tower's Summit Closes
Europe sizzled in its first major heat wave of the summer on Tuesday, as Barcelona recorded its hottest June in over a century and the summit of Paris' iconic Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors. Health warnings remained in effect in several countries. The abnormally hot weather 'is exposing millions of Europeans to high heat stress' with temperatures more typical of July and August, said Samantha Burgess of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Spain: Record temperatures Barcelona's Fabra Observatory reported an average temperature for last month of 26 C (78 F), breaking records since the data began in 1914. It said a single-day high of 37.9 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) for June was recorded Monday. Barcelona is usually spared the worst heat in Spain, thanks to its location between hills and the Mediterranean. Ramón Pascual, a delegate for Spain's weather service in Barcelona, told The Associated Press the "very intense heat wave' is clearly linked to global warming. Pascual said inhabitants of the Mediterranean region are not being helped by the rising sea temperatures, which greatly reduce any cooling effects of a nearby body of water. Spain's weather service said recent surface temperatures for the Mediterranean near the Balearic Islands are 5 to 6 degrees Celsius higher than average. Spain's national average for June of 23.6 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit) was 0.8 C hotter than the previous hottest June in 2017. Madrid was forecast to reach 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit). 'We're just surviving,' said Miguel Sopera, 63. 'At night it's impossible due to the terrible heat.' France: Closed schools Temperatures were forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Paris. National weather agency Météo-France placed several departments under the highest red alert. More than 1,300 schools were partially or fully closed. Visitors to the Eiffel Tower without tickets were told to postpone their visits as the summit was closed until Thursday for "everyone's comfort and safety.' Climate experts warn that future summers are likely to be hotter than any recorded to date, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius expected every year by 2100. Italy: A blackout Italy's health ministry said 17 of the country's 27 major cities were experiencing a heat wave. In Florence, where temperatures reached 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, parts of the city center experienced a blackout following a surge in electricity demand. Backup systems restored power, energy company Enel said. Near Bologna, the 46-year-old owner of a construction company collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, state-run RAI reported. An autopsy was being conducted but heat was suspected. The Netherlands: Water gun fight In the Dutch town of Soest, first responders said they were bringing a fire hose to an evening water gun fight. 'Bring your water pistol and swimming clothes with you, because you're guaranteed to get soaked!' the firefighters said on social media. Portugal: A record high The weather service in a statement Monday night confirmed the highest single temperature ever recorded in mainland Portugal for the month of June at 46.6 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) on June 29 in the town of Mora, west of Lisbon. Türkiye: Wildfires Firefighters across Türkiye tried to contain wildfires that have forced the evacuation of some 50,000 residents for the third consecutive day. Czech Republic: Polar bears Temperatures were expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) by Wednesday in parts of the Czech Republic. The Prague zoo distributed up to 10 metric tons of ice, with special attention given to polar bears. Zoo director Miroslav Bobek said twin brother bears Aleut and Gregor discovered frozen pieces of squid.
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Climate
- Boston Globe
Barcelona records hottest June and Eiffel Tower's summit closes as Europe sizzles
Advertisement Barcelona's Fabra Observatory reported an average temperature for last month of 26 C (78 F), breaking records since books were started in 1914. The previous hottest average for June was 25.6 C in 2003. The same weather station said that a single-day high of 37.9 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) for June was recorded Monday. Barcelona is usually spared the worst heat in Spain, thanks to its location between hills and the Mediterranean in Spain's northeastern corner. But most of the country has been gripped by the extreme heat. 'We are seeing these temperatures because we are experiencing a very intense heat wave that has come early in the summer and that is clearly linked to global warming,' Ramón Pascual, a delegate for Spain's weather service in Barcelona, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Advertisement Pascual added that the inhabitants of the Mediterranean region are not being helped by the rising sea temperatures, which greatly reduces any cooling effects of a nearby body of water. Spain's weather service said that recent surface temperatures for the Mediterranean near the Balearic Islands are between 5-6 degrees Celsius higher than average. 'With water surface temperatures from 26-30 Celsius (78-86 Farenheit), it is difficult for our nights to be refreshing,' he said. Spain's national average for June of 23.6 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit) was 0.8 C hotter than the previous hottest June in 2017. It was also the first time that June was hotter than the average temperatures for both July and August. Spain also saw a new high mark for June established on Saturday when 46 degrees Celsius (114 degrees Fahrenheit) was recorded in the southern province of Huelva. The streets were scorching as well in Spain's capital, with Madrid forecast to reach 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit), as people tried to keep cool by drinking refrigerated drinks and sticking to the shade. But the hot nights offered little relief. 'Today is very bad, but yesterday wasn't any better. So we're just surviving,' said Miguel Sopera, 63. 'At night it's impossible due to the terrible heat.' In France, the national weather agency Météo-France placed several departments under the highest red alert, with the Paris region particularly hard hit. More than 1,300 schools in the country were partially or fully closed. Visitors to the Eiffel Tower without tickets were told to postpone their visits as the summit of the city's landmark was closed until Thursday. The operators said the closure was 'to ensure everyone's comfort and safety.' Advertisement Climate experts warn that future summers are likely to be hotter than any recorded to date. By 2100, France could be up to 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius expected every year and extreme heat spikes potentially reaching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). Farther south, 17 of Italy's 27 major cities were experiencing a heat wave, according to the health ministry. There were torrential rains in Italy's north on Monday and parts of Bardonecchia near Turin were covered in sludge after the Frejus river burst its banks. Near Bologna, one of the cities under a heat alert Tuesday, the 46-year-old owner of a construction company collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, state-run RAI reported. An autopsy was being conducted to determine the cause, but heat was suspected. In the Dutch town of Soest, first responders said they were bringing a firehose to an early evening water gun fight. 'Bring your water pistol and swimming clothes with you, because you're guaranteed to get soaked!' the firefighters said in an Instagram post. The Portuguese weather service issued a statement Monday night confirming the highest single temperature ever recorded in mainland Portugal for the month of June at 46.6 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) on June 29 in the town of Mora, west of Lisbon. The prior record was 44.9 degrees Celsius (112 degrees Fahrenheit) in 2017. Firefighters across Turkey tried to contain wildfires that have forced the evacuation of some 50,000 residents for the third consecutive day. Temperatures were expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) by Wednesday in large parts of the Czech Republic, including the capital. Advertisement The Prague zoo distributed up to 10 metric tons of ice daily across the park, with especial attention given to polar bears native to the Arctic. Zoo director Miroslav Bobek said twin brother bears Aleut and Gregor looked pleased when they found parts of their open-air enclosure covered with a thick layer of ice Tuesday morning. They rolled on their backs and discovered frozen pieces of squid.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Barcelona records the hottest June ever as a heat wave grips Europe
PARIS: Barcelona recorded its hottest month of June since records started over a century ago, Spain's national weather service said on Tuesday as Europe remained in the grip of the first major heat wave this summer. The Fabra Observatory reported an average temperature of 26 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit), breaking records since 1914. The previous hottest average for June was 25.6 C in 2003. The same weather station said that a single-day high of 37.9 C (100 F) for June was recorded Monday. Barcelona is usually spared the worst heat in Spain, thanks to its location between hills and the Mediterranean in Spain's northeastern corner. But most of the country has been gripped by the extreme heat. Health warnings remained in effect Tuesday in several European countries. Punishing temperatures were forecast to reach 40 C (104 F) in Paris and to stay unusually high in Belgium and the Netherlands. Spain's national average for June of 23.6 C (74 F) was 0.8 C hotter than the previous hottest June in 2017. It was also that first time that June was hotter than the average temperatures for both July and August. Spain saw a new high mark for June established on Saturday when 46 C (114F) was recorded in the southern province of Huelva since national records were started in 1950. 'We are seeing these temperatures because we are experiencing a very intense heat wave that has come early in the summer and that is clearly linked to global warming,' Ramón Pascual, the regional delegate for Spain's weather service in Barcelona, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. France suffocates In France, the national weather agency Météo-France placed several departments under the highest red alert, with the Paris region particularly hard hit. More than 1,300 schools were partially or fully closed in the country. Visitors to the Eiffel Tower without tickets were told to postpone their visits as the summit of the city's landmark was closed until Thursday. Climate experts warn that future summers are likely to be hotter than any recorded to date. By 2100, France could be up to 4 C (39 F) warmer, with temperatures exceeding 40 C expected every year and extreme heat spikes potentially reaching 50 C (122 F). Man dies in Italy Farther south, 17 of Italy's 27 major cities were experiencing a heat wave, according to the health ministry. There were torrential rains in Italy's north on Monday and parts of Bardonecchia near Turin were covered in sludge after the Frejus river burst its banks. Near Bologna, one of the cities under a heat alert Tuesday, the 46-year-old owner of a construction company collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, state-run RAI reported. An autopsy was being conducted to determine the cause, but heat was suspected. The CGIL labor union said the death of the man, whom it identified as Ait El Hajjam Brahim, owner of Veneto Pavimenti SAS, showed the need for improved measures to protect construction workers from heat exposure. The Netherlands sweating An annual event in Amsterdam to commemorate the end of slavery in former Dutch colonies was moved forward to avoid the hottest part of the day. People attending the event, including the city's mayor, sat under white parasols and tried to keep cool with paper fans. In the central town of Soest, first responders said they were bringing a firehose to an early evening water gun fight. 'Bring your water pistol and swimming clothes with you, because you're guaranteed to get soaked!' the firefighters said in an Instagram post. In the northern city of Groningen, organizers of an outdoor concert featuring veteran rocker Neil Young also took measures, including adding extra drinking water taps and providing free sunblock. Portugal record The Portuguese weather service issued a statement Monday night confirming the highest single temperature ever recorded in mainland Portugal for the month of June at 46.6 C (115 F) on June 29 in the town of Mora, west of Lisbon. The prior record was 44.9 C (112 F) in 2017. Wildfires in Turkiye Firefighters across Turkiye combated wildfires for a third consecutive day on Tuesday. The fires have damaged dozens of homes and forced the evacuation of some 50,000 residents. The crews were nearing containment of two major fires in the Aegean province of İzmir and another in neighboring Manisa, Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı said. They were however, struggling with a large, wind-driven fire still sweeping through the southern province of Hatay. Relieving animals in Prague Temperatures were expected to reach 37 C (98.6 F) by Wednesday in large parts of the Czech Republic, including the capital. The Prague zoo took extraordinary measures to provide some relief to their animals as zookeepers started to distribute up to 10 metric tons of ice daily across the park. The polar bears native to the Arctic are a major concern for the zoo, director Miroslav Bobek said. Twin brothers Aleut and Gregor looked pleased when they found parts of their open-air enclosure covered with a thick layer of ice on Tuesday morning. They used the familiar substance to lie on it and roll on their backs. As a bonus, they discovered frozen pieces of squid among the pieces of ice.
