Germany Hits 41.3 Degrees, Over 300 Dead in Spain... What Is the 'Omega Heat Dome' Gripping Europe?

First-Ever 40 Degrees in June for Germany; Record Highs in Switzerland and Belgium
Event Cancellations and Transport Disruptions Continue as Casualties Mount

The record-breaking heatwave sweeping across Europe has now spread from Western to Central Europe, prompting emergency responses in multiple countries. As temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius in various regions, outdoor events are being cancelled one after another, and the number of casualties continues to rise.

On June 26 (local time), Yonhap News, citing the German Meteorological Service, reported that temperatures in Saarbrücken in western Germany soared to 41.3 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous highest temperature on record. This is the first time that temperatures in Germany have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in the month of June.

A child is cooling off at a fountain in downtown Cologne, Germany. Photo by Yonhap News

This heatwave is attributed to the so-called "Omega Heat Dome" phenomenon. This occurs when the airflow in the upper atmosphere forms the shape of the Greek letter Omega (Ω), causing hot air to become trapped over a specific region for an extended period of time.

Meteorological authorities have forecast that, as the heatwave moves eastward, some areas could see temperatures rise to as high as 42 degrees Celsius. In Switzerland, new record high temperatures for June have also been set in major cities such as Basel and Bern.

Europe’s unusual heatwave is having a widespread impact on society. In Germany, outdoor events such as marathons and football matches have been cancelled, and traffic has been restricted on some highways due to cracked road surfaces. In Switzerland, the rising temperature of rivers has forced some nuclear power plants to temporarily shut down operations.

Belgium and the United Kingdom are also experiencing record-breaking temperatures day after day. The heatwave has disrupted international train services, and safety concerns have led to the cancellation of events such as the Waterloo Battle reenactment in Belgium and a major music festival in the Netherlands. In Paris, France, large-scale outdoor events have been suspended, and hospitals are busy responding to the surge in heat-related illnesses.

Citizens entering the river in Paris, France to escape the heat. Photo by Yonhap News

Major tourist attractions are also scaling back their operations. Some popular sites and museums in London, United Kingdom, have restricted access to ensure visitor safety, and the German Bundestag has temporarily closed its glass dome, which is usually open to tourists.

Casualties continue to be reported. In France, dozens of people have drowned after entering rivers and lakes to escape the heat. In Germany and the United Kingdom, teenagers have died while swimming. In France, there have also been tragic cases of infants and young children dying after being left in cars during the heatwave. In Spain, more than 300 deaths have recently been attributed to the extreme heat.

Experts warn that, due to climate change, European heatwaves are becoming more intense and frequent, stressing the need for long-term measures to address high-temperature conditions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.