Not so cool in Europe

As the mercury rises on the continent, spare a thought for those not used to heat

People cool down in a fountain beside the Manzanares river in Madrid, Spain. Andres Kudacki / AP Photo

It’s hot. But that is nothing new, which explains why every year many residents can’t wait to seek refuge from the desert sun in Europe. But don’t pack your bags just yet, because a European summer will not bring much relief at the moment.

Governments across Europe have issued warnings as a heatwave grips Spain and Portugal with temperatures near 44°C. Meanwhile, French authorities have been preparing for the country’s most intense heatwave since 2006, with maximum temperatures of 40°C expected this week. Britain, too, can’t escape the heat. The country is amid one of the most powerful sunny periods in years. The lawn tennis championships at Wimbledon, normally beset by rain, have introduced heat breaks for women players in an effort to cool things down.

All of which makes the idea of staying at home that more appealing this year. Why go through the hassle of hours of travel and the possibility of heat stroke in Europe, when you can chill out in the comfort of air-conditioning right here in the desert.