A series of temperature records were broken in France.

Photo caption — Misting is used to reduce heat during hot weather in Paris, France, on May 28, 2026. Photo: THX/VNA

In France, the Meteo France meteorological agency reported that over 50% of the country's regions recorded record-high temperatures for May last week. Climatologist Matthieu Sorel described it as an extremely severe and rare heatwave for the beginning of summer.

According to Meteo France, from May 24-28, France recorded approximately 109 minimum temperature records and 266 maximum temperature records in May. Notably, the city of Angouleme in southwestern France recorded a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius on May 29 – the highest temperature ever recorded in France for May. Prior to that, the country also broke the national average temperature record for May, with the national average temperature reaching 24.9 degrees Celsius on May 26.

Meteorologists say temperatures are expected to ease towards the end of the week, but this unusual heatwave further reinforces warnings that extreme weather events in Europe are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change.

According to Meteo France, since 1947, France has recorded a total of 51 nationwide heatwaves, with 34 occurring after 2000 and 26 since 2011 alone.

Meanwhile in Spain, authorities have issued a yellow alert for extreme weather in 11 areas, with temperatures in many places forecast to range from 34-38 degrees Celsius.

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Europe, the Spanish national meteorological agency Aemet said that areas such as Zaragoza, Córdoba, Seville, Toledo, Lleida, and Badajoz are among the most severely affected by this early-season heatwave. Spanish health officials advise people to limit outdoor activities during peak hours of heat, drink plenty of water, avoid outdoor physical activity, and pay special attention to protecting the elderly, children, and other vulnerable groups.

According to Aemet, the hot air mass from North Africa continuing to move across the Iberian Peninsula could cause prolonged heatwaves for several days to come. Experts warn that prolonged high temperatures will increase the risk of dehydration, heatstroke, and especially wildfires in arid areas. This risk is even more worrying as Spain prepares for the total solar eclipse scheduled for August 12th – a rare astronomical event predicted to attract millions to rural areas for observation.

According to the Spanish Civil Protection Agency, large gatherings of people during the peak of the hot, dry season can significantly increase the risk of wildfires, especially in areas with flammable vegetation and limited rescue infrastructure. Locations considered ideal for observing the eclipse, such as Zamora, León, Ourense, Toledo, and Cáceres, are also areas that are expected to experience severe wildfires in 2025. Last year alone, major fires in Spain destroyed more than 400,000 hectares of forest and vegetation, equivalent to the area of Mallorca.

Spanish authorities have advised citizens to absolutely refrain from lighting fires outdoors, avoid parking on dry vegetation, and ensure that roads remain clear to allow firefighters access when needed.

Amidst continuously rising global temperatures, the United Nations warned on May 28th that average global temperatures are likely to remain at or near record levels this year and for at least the next four years. Experts believe that the earlier, longer, and more intense heatwaves in Europe clearly reflect the increasing trend of extreme climate events globally.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/van-de-quan-tam/hang-loat-ky-luc-nhiet-do-bi-pha-vo-tai-phap-20260529225815250.htm