This summer in Western Europe has been exceptionally warm so far: June and July combined were 2.79 degrees above the long-term average and are on course to set a new record.

Repeated heatwaves have affected France, Germany, the Benelux countries and parts of the UK in particular.

At the same time, large parts of Western Europe are experiencing extreme drought. Parched soil can barely release any moisture through evaporation and is therefore less able to cool the surrounding area – this further intensifies the heat and causes soil to dry out even more.

The effects are evident in rivers and seas: the Rhine, Loire, and Danube are carrying unusually low water levels in many places.

At the same time, water temperatures have risen sharply, off the coast of Mallorca, for example, the water temperature in the Mediterranean was measured at around 33°C, a new record.

A new heatwave, with temperatures reaching up to 40°C in Western Europe, is set to make the situation even worse this week with no sign of any significant relief from cooler air or rain.