World's Fastest-Warming Continent Swelters Under Record 'Heat Dome'

Europe is in a record May heatwave, with Britain, Ireland and France seeing new highs as a heat dome traps warm air over western Europe.

The continent is warming about 2.4C above preindustrial levels, faster than the global average and increasingly prone to extreme summer heat.

Scientists point to fossil-fuel warming, more blocking high-pressure systems, rapid Arctic warming, less snow cover and lower aerosol pollution as key drivers.

The faster warming raises the risk of more severe heatwaves, drought and health impacts across Europe.