MétéoSuisse said the zero-degree line – the altitude at which the temperature falls below freezing, considered a key meteorological marker particularly in mountainous regions – was measured at 5,298 metres overnight. People on a beach and in two communities near the blaze were ordered to evacuate, AFP reported. Civil protection authorities warned of an “exceptional” fire risk in the region around Athens and other parts of southern Greece. In France, record temperatures of more than 42.5C were recorded along the Rhône valley and at several other south-eastern weather stations, with the mercury set to rise further on Tuesday and Wednesday. The highest temperature ever recorded in France was 46C, registered in June 2018 in the village of Vérargues in southern France.

Source: The Guardian August 22, 2023 00:21 UTC