Much of Western Europe is grappling with a severe heatwave that has shattered temperature records and led to a significant power outage in France, impacting tens of thousands of households. The extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change, is trapping hot air and causing temperatures to soar across the continent.

France's national temperature indicator recorded its hottest day since measurements began in 1947, reaching 29.8 degrees Celsius (85.64 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday. This extreme heat placed a considerable strain on the nation's power infrastructure, leading to a major disruption.

A heat-related incident involving a transformer on Tuesday evening left approximately 68,000 households in the northwestern department of Finistere without electricity. While repair efforts were underway through the night, full restoration of power was not expected until at least the end of Wednesday. Authorities reported that up to 106,000 clients of the French power network experienced outages by late Tuesday.

Scientists attribute the increasing intensity, frequency, and duration of heatwaves to man-driven climate change, noting that infrastructure often predates these intensified conditions. In response to the soaring temperatures, sales of fans and air conditioners have surged across France, a country where many buildings are not designed to cope with extreme heat.

The heatwave's impact extends beyond power outages. Over 90 percent of the French population is exposed to extreme heat, with temperatures forecast to reach between 39C and 41C (102.2F to 105.8F) on Wednesday across a wide swathe of the country, from Brittany to Paris and much of the southwest. Many of the 31 departments currently on orange alert are facing these severe conditions.

In the United Kingdom, hundreds of schools are planning early closures or full shutdowns this week due to the heat. Train services have also been reduced to mitigate the risk of heat-related damage to rail lines. The UK's Met Office has issued a heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday, with forecasts suggesting the potential to break June's all-time daily temperature record.

Temperatures in southern England are expected to reach around 37C (98.6F), with up to 35C (95F) anticipated in southeast Wales. The peak of the heatwave is predicted for Wednesday and Thursday, with highs potentially reaching 39C (102.2F) in London and southern England. The Met Office anticipates a gradual easing of conditions by Friday.

Italy's Ministry of Health has declared a red heatwave alert in 16 cities, including major centers like Milan and Rome, underscoring the widespread and severe nature of the current extreme weather event gripping the continent.