Climate scientists warn heatwaves to last longer causing more 'heat stress' 

Cracked earth after the water level dropped in the Sau reservoir, about 100 km ( north of Barcelona, Spain. Pictures: AP

Heatwaves are more likely to last longer, leading to potentially deadly spikes in so-called "heat stressed" people across Europe, EU climate scientists have warned.

Last year was the continent's second warmest year on record. It included its hottest-ever summer at just under 1.5C above the recent average, a record loss of ice from glaciers in Europe, and the highest greenhouse gas emissions in the past 20 years.