Western Europe baked under record-breaking spring heat this week as Britain, France, and Spain posted temperatures normally reserved for July. London hit 35.1 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, smashing the previous May record by over 2 degrees. France recorded seven heat-related deaths since Saturday. The UK Health Security Agency issued an amber alert as England and Wales entered a formal heat wave.

Kew Gardens recorded 34.8 degrees Celsius on Monday, provisionally marking the highest May temperature and hottest spring day ever in Britain. The previous record of 32.8 degrees Celsius had stood since 1922 and 1944. Temperatures climbed to 35.1 degrees Celsius the next day, with many Londoners calling the conditions unbearable.

In France, temperatures climbed up to 13 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms. Seven people died in circumstances linked to the heat wave since Saturday, including five drownings. At the French Open, spectators relied on water misters as players endured stifling court heat.

Spain's southwest faced forecasts up to 40 degrees Celsius. Madrid residents said it felt like "deep in July" as climate change upends old seasonal patterns.