Europe is sweltering under an early heat wave that has broken records and claimed lives. What is happening to make it so hot?

“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.

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

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.

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

The UK and France have registered record May temperatures as western Europe swelters under a "heat dome."

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.

Why is Europe warming faster than other parts of the world? The continent is currently in the grip of an early-season heatwave, with record May temperatures driven by a “heat…

Europe, which is in the throes of a record-smashing heatwave this week, is the world's fastest-warming continent and stretches into an even more rapidly heating Arctic.

Unpredictable and extreme weather is becoming more frequent as Earth warms.

Record temps as spring heatwave bakes Europe

Europe sizzles as record-breaking May heatwave scorches continent-

The continent still faces more brutal heat in the coming days

Europe is facing an unusual spring heatwave, with temperatures crossing 34°C in parts of the U.K., France and Spain. London recorded its hottest May day ever, while authorities…

Europe is bracing for more extreme heat after record May temperatures swept across Britain, Ireland and France this week – with scientists saying a “heat dome” over western Europe…

Europe, which is in the throes of a record-smashing heatwave this week, is the world's fastest-warming continent and stretches into an even more rapidly heating Arctic.

French climate scientist Christophe Cassou said the heat wave would have been virtually impossible in the preindustrial era.

Europe is sweltering under an early heat wave that has broken records and claimed lives. What is happening to make it so hot?

Europe is sweltering under extreme heat that has broken records and claimed lives. Why is the continent heating so fast?