Much of Europe Blisters Under Heat Wave As Fountains Become Wading PoolsThe Associated Press
PARIS July 15 —
Rome is considering water rations. London will reward anyone who can invent an air conditioning system for the sweltering Tube. In Paris, the city's fountains have become wading pools.
Summertime has arrived with a vengeance in parts of Europe, forcing dehydrated tourists to run for cover as officials from England to Romania scramble to limit the damage from drought and heat.
(snip)
scorching temperatures in Italy prompted authorities Tuesday to discuss whether to declare a state of emergency in the country's north because of a weekslong drought.
Rome officials spoke about rationing water in dozens of the capital's districts, and Italian newspapers warned that fruit and vegetable prices could rise by 30 percent because output from parched fields was shrinking.
more...Heat Hits Europe, Britain Eyes 100-Degree Record(snip)
Even Britain belied its reputation as a country where the sun never shines. Bookmakers said there was a chance temperatures would hit a symbolic 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 Celsius) this week for the first time since records began.
(snip)
The heat seeped as far north as Finland, where the temperature hit 29.8C in the southeastern town of Utti. Meteorologists said the average there at this time of year is a mere 19C.
(snip)
In neighboring Germany, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper warned that if Europe continues to experience hotter, drier weather, Berlin and the surrounding Brandenburg region could become a desert by the middle of this century.
"Already parts of Brandenburg have become Steppe-like," it said in a report on global warming (news - web sites).
more...