After days of extreme heat, Europe is expected to get some relief starting Wednesday, with thunderstorms and cooler temperatures forecast to move in from the Atlantic across parts of western Europe.Paris, which saw temperatures soar to 40°C on Tuesday, is expected to cool to 35°C on Wednesday and drop further to 28°C by Thursday. Germany’s national weather service predicts a high of 40°C on Thursday, followed by a sharp decline to 27°C.In Italy and Spain, cooler winds are expected to arrive by the weekend, Tuesday, 2,200 schools were closed due to the heat; the number is expected to drop to 135 on Wednesday, according to the education ministry.June 30th was the hottest day since 1947 in Europe, according to Meteo France.Similar extreme temperatures were recorded in Portugal and the Netherlands. “For the continent as a whole, this June is likely to rank among the top five warmest on record,” said the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.The Mediterranean Sea recorded its hottest temperatures for June, while, in stark contrast, Mont Blanc remained freezing, an unusual climatic anomaly.In Turkey, wildfires broke out near Izmir in the west and Hatay in the south. While most were brought under control, authorities warned on Tuesday that hot, dry winds could still trigger fresh fires.More than a thousand people have died due to the ongoing heatwaves, prompting health advisories. Authorities are urging people to stay vigilant, as high temperatures can cause dehydration, muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, and in severe cases, fatal heatstroke.Tragically, a two-year-old girl died in northeastern Spain after being left in the car for several hours.On the economic front, Allianz Trade warned on Tuesday that the heatwaves could slow down Europe’s economic growth, possibly shaving off half a per cent from GDP.
