European heatwave and school closures

A severe early-summer heatwave is affecting western Europe, with temperatures nearing 40°C in the UK and other countries. The UK Met Office issued a rare red warning for extreme heat, covering London, the South East, and parts of Wales and the Midlands. In response, hundreds of schools in England, particularly in London, Somerset, Buckinghamshire, and Gloucestershire, have announced closures or early dismissals to protect pupils and staff from the dangerous heat. Union leaders are calling for legally enforceable maximum classroom temperatures and modernised buildings, while the Department for Education advises that school leaders should prioritise safety but does not normally recommend closures. In mainland Europe, France, Italy, and Spain also issued red alerts, with France recording its hottest night ever and 40 drownings as people sought to cool off. The heat is linked to a 'heat dome' and attributed by scientists to human-induced climate change, which makes such extreme events more likely and intense. Authorities across the continent urged vulnerable people to take precautions and avoid exertion during peak heat hours.