European Meteorologists predict a death toll in thousands as a remarkable heat wave is expected across France and continental Europe this week, Sputnik News Agency reported.
The highest temperatures are likely to occur across western and central mainland Europe. Some of the hardest-hit regions in Spain and France are expected to see temperatures of at least 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 Celsius) from Wednesday to Friday.
Mika Rantanen, a meteorologist in Finland, described computer model forecasts for the intensity of the upcoming heat wave as unprecedented in France.
"This heat wave could be searing compared to how early it has come as well as its intensity," the country’s national weather agency, Meteo France said.
Countries like Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Belgium may also face extremely high temperatures.
Moreover, Stefan Rahmstorf, a climate scientist at Potsdam University described heat waves as “Silent killers”.
In the same context, Silvia Laplana, a meteorologist in Spain, tweets “hell is coming".
This early heat wave is the latest in a number of historic episodes of heat in recent years. Just last summer, the continent saw relentless record temperatures coupled with unusually dry conditions. Thus, drought and wildfires were rampant.
In 2003, France was hit by a deadly heatwave in August that resulted in the death of at least 15,000 people in France, and 70,000 in Europe.
Contributed by Nada Mostafa
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