School closures for heat could now be more likely than snow days

As recently as 2003, a heatwave like the current one in Europe would have been 2C cooler due to the lower level of global heating at the time, a new study has warned. Picture: Andy Gibson

Schools in Ireland may be forced to shut for hot days rather than snow days in future, experts have warned, as a new study found the sweltering heatwave sweeping Europe is the most severe ever recorded.

A new rapid analysis of the record-shattering conditions by World Weather Attribution experts, including Claire Bergin from the Icarus Climate Research Centre in Maynooth University, suggested it is “unequivocal” that such heatwaves exceeding 40C in parts are increasing in likelihood and magnitude because of climate change.