Just 2 weeks after the unusual early and severe heat wave, Western Europe is forecast to welcome another heat wave, with temperatures expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius this weekend.
Hot and dry air from North Africa has formed a thermal dome on the Iberian Peninsula, retaining and pushing heat towards France, Switzerland, Italy and Germany.
It is forecasted that the temperature in these areas will remain at 35 degrees Celsius or higher throughout the coming week.
High temperatures are a shock to many tourists who traveled earlier because they expected a gentler weather in Western Europe at the beginning of the season instead of traveling in July and August.
A heat wave at the end of May broke records across the region, with England, France, Ireland and Portugal all recording the highest temperatures in May history.
One of the biggest challenges in coping with summer heat is that Western Europe rarely has air conditioning. Previously, mild summer weather conditions, along with strict construction regulations, made air conditioning installation both difficult and costly. Except for 4- and 5-star hotels, a few modern development areas as well as some museums and restaurants, most other places do not have air conditioning.
This week's heatwave is expected to be more intense and widespread than in May.
In France, the temperature is forecast to peak at around 40 degrees Celsius by the end of the week. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire has allowed swimming in the St. Martin Canal since June 17.
Sophie Gacheny - an independent tour guide living in Paris - has begun to adjust her itinerary to help her customers avoid the heat as much as possible.
I avoid crowded areas and use covered walkways and shady areas to move around the city," she said.
