ANKARA
A heatwave hanging over Western Europe is shattering many longstanding records and making daily life an endurance marathon.
Germany is sweating through one of its hottest Julys on record, with temperatures across the country hitting 40 C (104 F) or higher.
Thermometers reached 41.5 C (106.7 F) in Lingen on Thursday, an all-time temperature record in the country since measurements began in 1881.
The German Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning earlier, saying that temperatures could rise to record levels, especially in the upper Rhine region and western parts of the country.
Belgium also faced its hottest day on Thursday, causing the Royal Meteorological Institute raised its alarm level to red for the first time in its history.
The mercury hit 40.6C at the military base of Kleine Brogel, making today the hottest ever since 1940s.
The Netherlands saw its hottest day in 75 years on Wednesday, said the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute.
The temperature was measured in Eindhoven with a new high of 40.6 C (105 F).
The United Kingdom's Met Office said on Thursday, the mercury hit a punishing 38.1 C (100.5 F) in Cambridge, the hottest July day ever.
Michael Dukes, director of forecasting at UK weather forecast company MetDesk, told Anadolu Agency that the exceptional heat across Western Europe will peak on Thursday, when many countries may "well break" records.
"The heat has been caused by a plume of intense hot air moving northwards across Western Europe from North Africa," Dukes said.
He said a similar pattern in June also led to record-breaking heat.
"It really is a big concern that we are so frequently breaking heat records," Dukes added.
Scientists have warned that without drastic changes, the global climate crisis will lead to unlivable levels of heat worldwide.
Meteo-France said the temperature rose to 40.6C (105F) just after 1.30pm local time at Paris-Montsouris station in the French capital, breaking the previous high of 40.4C seen in July 1947.
Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said that the heatwave is expected to affect 20 million people.
Italy has also risen its alarm levels due to high temperatures, and the Health Ministry warned of extreme heatwaves in 13 cities, including the capital Rome.
* Ayhan Simsek from Berlin, Hasan Esen from London, Yusuf Ozcan from Paris, and Baris Seckin from Rome contributed to this story.
