As Luxembourg braces for another scorching heatwave, the national weather service, Meteolux, indicates that the June temperature record of 35.4°C could be broken.
RTL reached out to Meteolux and the Ministry of Education to ask when a heatwave is officially declared, how alerts are issued, and under what conditions classes can be cancelled.
Following a heat event in late May, Luxembourg is now facing another at the very start of summer. Climate change is increasing the frequency of extremely high temperatures, but according to Meteolux meteorologist Luca Mathias, what makes the current situation particularly remarkable is its duration. Luxembourg could face scorching conditions for four to five days – potentially up to ten days in a row.
As National Day nears, historical data shows that on 23 June 2016, the station at Findel Airport recorded 31.7°C; in 2005, 30.3°C; and on 23 June 1960, 29°C. Mathias noted that the upcoming heat period could surpass the existing June record of 35.4°C, set in 2017. "Current simulations suggest that it cannot be excluded that this record will be broken over the following days", he noted.
Meteolux issued a yellow heat alert for Thursday and an orange alert for Friday. An orange alert is triggered when high temperatures persist for at least two consecutive days. To officially classify an event as a heatwave, multiple parameters must align. Meteolux now employs a new index for this purpose, which, Mathias explained, takes into account not only air temperature but also humidity, wind speed, and the intensity of direct solar radiation. Nighttime temperatures are also factored in, as a lack of significant cooling can intensify heat stress. Based on these parameters, Meteolux will be able to assess the extent of heat stress over the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has stated that there will be no general cancellation of school classes due to a heatwave. Gilles Dhamen of the Ministry explained that schools fulfil an important function in the daily routine of children and adolescents – not only as places of learning but also as protected spaces where children are continuously supervised. During a heatwave, this includes reminders to drink water, wear hats, and avoid direct sunlight, Dhamen said. He also noted that teachers, headmasters, and local councils all share responsibility for preparing accordingly for such events.
