Western Europe faces extreme heat as countries test protections built after the 2003 heat wave

Why are comparisons being made to 2003?

The 2003 European heat wave caused about 70,000 deaths across the continent, including about 15,000 in France, and prompted governments to create heat-warning systems and other protections that are now being tested by the current episode NYT,NY Post.

What protections are in place now?

After 2003, European authorities added measures such as early warning systems, cooling shelters and hospital preparedness plans. In Paris, officials also built a registry of elderly and vulnerable residents who receive check-in calls when temperatures rise NYT.

What is driving this heat wave?

Sources describe the event as being driven by a persistent high-pressure system over continental Europe, commonly called a heat dome, which allows heat to build and remain in place for days NYT,infobae,Hindu.