A blistering early summer heatwave is making its way from the Iberian Peninsula northwards across Europe, forcing thousands of schools to close in France and prompting health warnings.
The Mediterranean Sea was warmer by up to 6 degrees Celsius (10.8 degrees Fahrenheit) than usual for the time of year, hitting a record of as much as 30C (86F) in Spain’s Balearic Sea as a heat dome trapped hot air above Europe, the country’s weather forecaster Aemet said.
