As U.S. Weather Cools, Extreme Heat Grips Europe
(WESTMINSTER, CO) As the Eastern U.S. says goodbye to its heatwave, Europe is experiencing another round of extreme temperatures this week that will rival the intense period from last month. A broad area of high pressure is leading to dry and hot conditions across most of the western and northern portions of Europe, causing temperatures to reach well above normal thresholds and in some cases shattering records. Maxar’s Weather Desk is forecasting Paris, France to peak Thursday afternoon with a high of 104 degrees (F). Matthew Dross, Maxar’s European Meteorologist says the group expects high temperatures in Frankfurt, Germany is expected to peak at 99 degrees while Brussels tops out at the century mark (100 F). From an agricultural perspective, the record-setting heat will cause significant stress on various crops, particularly corn and sunflowers. These crops are in the reproductive phase of growth and there is a high likelihood the hot temperatures will produce yield reductions. The stress will also be compounded by the significant dryness that is occurring. The combination of the heatwave last month, as well as this week’s event, will likely cause lower wine production for France versus last year.