PARIS (AP) – Commuters bared lots of skin, temperatures broke records in cities and towns, and millions gulped down water or splashed away in it as Western Europe sweltered in a heat wave.
Authorities in France and elsewhere, mindful that thousands died during a 2003 heat wave, were reaching out to the elderly, families and other vulnerable people Wednesday to make sure they realized the health risks. Paris officials opened special air-conditioned rooms for the public.
A mass of hot air moving north from Africa has sent temperatures spiking in Spain, Portugal, Britain and France in recent days. Temperatures in Paris were expected to hit 39 degrees Celsius (102 Fahrenheit) Wednesday afternoon.
On Tuesday, southwest France saw temperatures reaching 42 C (107 F) and Cordoba in southern Spain recorded nearly 44 C (111 F).
The last time Paris saw 40 C (104 F) in July was in 1947, according to Meteo France forecaster Francois Gourand. August is hotter, but 2003 was the last time Paris saw such high temperatures in that month.