Extreme heat is melting national records across Europe, with more coming Thursday. The United Kingdom has broken its record for hottest June temperature with the mercury hitting 96.4 degrees Fahrenheit (35.8 Celsius) in Wiggonholt, in the south of the country.

Heat-Related Deaths

At least 42 people have drowned in France this week as thousands headed to water to escape temperatures soaring past 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 Celsius). Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed the victims were mostly young people, calling their deaths a “tragic scourge.”

The UK Met Office has issued exceptionally rare “Red Extreme Heat Warnings” for Wednesday and Thursday. Currently, southern parts of the UK, including London, are feeling comparable to humidity levels in Miami, New Orleans and Houston.

Economic Impact

Extreme temperatures could also end up taking some heat out of the already struggling European economy — both now and in the future. Analysts at Allianz said last month that by 2030, the cumulative GDP losses could reach between 5% and 7% in the countries most exposed to rising temperatures.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.