The continent is grappling with a powerful 'heat dome'.

A “heat dome” is forecast to linger across parts of Europe as the prospects of an El Nino continue to firm.

“What we used to call a July phenomenon is now arriving in mid-May", according to one weather forecaster.

Temperatures hit record highs for May in the United Kingdom and France on Monday, as forecasters warned of a prolonged period of extreme heat across Europe throughout the week.

Forecasters warn of a prolonged period of extreme heat across Europe throughout the week.

Heat dome over Europe scorches UK, Ireland, France and Spain

Western Europe faces record late-May heat, with France, the UK and Spain sweltering up to 11C above normal and officials warning of rising health risks.

Temperature records are breaking and triggering government warnings, with London hitting 95 degrees the past two days. Experts say unpredictable and extreme weather is becoming…

Two die in sporting events in France, Spain warns of 'tropical nights' and Britain breaks its May record; before summer even begins, Europe is already baking: 'This is becoming…

France is on the frontline of an exceptional early summer heatwave, with authorities reporting seven deaths– including five drownings – as a “heat dome” is pushing temperatures…

The UK and France have registered record May temperatures as western Europe swelters under a "heat dome." Such extremes are occurring more often as the planet warms.

People in western Europe turned to fans and fountains as they sweltered through a record-breaking heatwave Tuesday, with temperatures set to soar even further.

Western Europe faced another day of record-breaking temperatures Tuesday as a heatwave pushed the mercury well above normal levels for May.

Record temperatures caused by heat dome, with hot air from Morocco trapped under an area of high pressure

Western Europe faced another day of record-breaking temperatures on May 26 as a heatwave pushed the mercury well above normal levels for May.

Firefighters have battled a grass fire in Scotland and several drowning deaths have been reported as a spring heatwave scorches parts of Western Europe

An unprecedented early heatwave in Europe shatters records, causing multiple deaths and triggering urgent government health warnings.

Western Europe reeled under an unseasonal heatwave on Tuesday as record-breaking temperatures swept across the continent.

Temperatures toppled seasonal records across Western Europe on Tuesday, triggering government warnings over risks to life.

Western Europe is essentially trapped in the weather equivalent of a Dutch oven, a situation that one scientist said has “the fingerprints of climate change all over it”

Several drownings were reported in Britain and France as people tried to cool down.