July was the warmest month ever recorded in France since records began in 1900, according to Météo-France.

This is 3.8 degrees above the average temperature for the month, breaking previous records from the heat waves in August 2003 and July 2006.

July was also the third driest month on record, according to the weather institute. Precipitation was almost 70 percent below average, which has led to parched soil and a very high fire risk.

The extreme conditions have contributed to the country being hit by record numbers of fires. The forest fire in Gironde in southwestern France, which destroyed 42,000 hectares, is the largest in the country since 1949.

Another record was set in Austria on Tuesday. The mercury in Vienna climbed to 41 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature ever recorded in the country, according to the national weather service.

Source: Expressen-tt.se