(CNN)Europe is bracing for an "exceptional" heat wave, with authorities activating emergency plans that include setting up public cooling rooms and extending hours at swimming pools.Temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) are forecast in a number of major cities across the continent, with meteorologists warning that higher humidity could make it feel even hotter. Europe to experience 'intense heat' in multi-day heat waveThe heat wave "promises to be exceptional" at the end of June, French meteorological service Météo-France said.National weather authorities in Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland have issued heat warnings, advising people to avoid strenuous activities at midday and in the afternoon, drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun.Heat waves are becoming more frequent and more severe because of the climate crisis, scientists say. The frequency of such events is expected to double by 2050, Météo-France said.Heat records could fall in FranceFrance could see temperatures that exceed those of the historic and lethal 2003 European heat wave. A record-setting mark of 44.1 Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) was measured that August in France, and more than 14,000 mostly elderly people died.Such temperatures are far above average across Central and Western Europe, hiking the potential danger, CNN senior meteorologist Brandon Miller said.JUST WATCHEDNighttime 'lows' more dangerous than highsReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHNighttime 'lows' more dangerous than highs 01:07"When it is 105 (degrees Fahrenheit) in Phoenix or Kuwait, it is not nearly as big of a deal as if it is 105 in Chicago or Paris," he said. "But when summer temperatures are routinely in the 70s, like in northern Europe or the West Coast of the US, many places do not have air conditioning. This can turn deadly fast if heat waves strike and last for several days."This is especially true if nighttime low temperatures stay hot," Miller said. "If the air is humid, it will not cool off much at night, and that prevents buildings from releasing their heat and cooling off at night."Mist showers and cooling roomsParis City Hall has activated a plan that includes installing 48 mist showers throughout the city, extending hours at public swimming pools, keeping some parks open all night and opening cool rooms in designated public buildings, officials said. National school exams also have been postponed -- for the first time ever -- to next week, the French education ministry ordered. "This is the first time this has happened because it's the first time that it's this hot during the school year," education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said.This week's heat wave in Europe is a preview of what the climate crisis has in storeScorching weather in Spain will continue until early next week, with temperatures hitting their highs on Wednesday and Thursday, the Spanish AEMET weather agency warned.In Germany, where prior heat waves hav
world,Europe heat wave: Preparations include public cooling rooms,mist showers and health warnings - CNN,
(CNN)Europe is bracing for an "exceptional" heat wave, with authorities activating emergency plans that include setting up public cooling rooms and extending hours at swimming pools.Temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) are forecast in a number of major cities across the continent, with meteorologists warning that higher humidity could make it feel even hotter. Europe to experience 'intense heat' in multi-day heat waveThe heat wave "promises to be exceptional" at the end of June, French meteorological service Météo-France said.National weather authorities in Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland have issued heat warnings, advising people to avoid strenuous activities at midday and in the afternoon, drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun.Heat waves are becoming more frequent and more severe because of the climate crisis, scientists say. The frequency of such events is expected to double by 2050, Météo-France said.Heat records could fall in FranceFrance could see temperatures that exceed those of the historic and lethal 2003 European heat wave. A record-setting mark of 44.1 Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) was measured that August in France, and more than 14,000 mostly elderly people died.Such temperatures are far above average across Central and Western Europe, hiking the potential danger, CNN senior meteorologist Brandon Miller said.JUST WATCHEDNighttime 'lows' more dangerous than highsReplayMore Videos ...MUST WATCHNighttime 'lows' more dangerous than highs 01:07"When it is 105 (degrees Fahrenheit) in Phoenix or Kuwait, it is not nearly as big of a deal as if it is 105 in Chicago or Paris," he said. "But when summer temperatures are routinely in the 70s, like in northern Europe or the West Coast of the US, many places do not have air conditioning. This can turn deadly fast if heat waves strike and last for several days."This is especially true if nighttime low temperatures stay hot," Miller said. "If the air is humid, it will not cool off much at night, and that prevents buildings from releasing their heat and cooling off at night."Mist showers and cooling roomsParis City Hall has activated a plan that includes installing 48 mist showers throughout the city, extending hours at public swimming pools, keeping some parks open all night and opening cool rooms in designated public buildings, officials said. National school exams also have been postponed -- for the first time ever -- to next week, the French education ministry ordered. "This is the first time this has happened because it's the first time that it's this hot during the school year," education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said.This week's heat wave in Europe is a preview of what the climate crisis has in storeScorching weather in Spain will continue until early next week, with temperatures hitting their highs on Wednesday and Thursday, the Spanish AEMET weather agency warned.In Germany, where prior heat waves hav
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