- Recently, France has recorded its all-time hottest temperature amid a European heat wave. Gallargues-le-Montueux in southern France recorded an all-time high of 45.9°C during the last week of June
- According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), heat wave in Europe is a result of warm air masses from Africa.
- There is no universally accepted definition of a heat wave, due to variations in climate conditions in different world regions. Generally, heat wave is defined as a period of abnormally high temperatures-more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season.
- In India, the IMD considers heat wave when maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains, 37°C or more for coastal stations and at least 30°C or more for Hilly regions.
Europe heat wave: What caused record temperatures, why it is a concern?
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