LONDON/PARIS: An unusually early heat wave swept across parts of Western Europe this week, breaking temperature records in Britain and France and prompting health warnings as several heat-related deaths and drownings were reported.

Britain recorded its hottest May temperature in more than a century for the second straight day on May 26, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) at London's Kew Gardens and Heathrow Airport, according to the Met Office.

The reading broke the previous day's record of 34.8 C and surpassed the long-standing May record of 32.8 C set in 1922 and matched in 1944.

London also experienced a rare "tropical night," during which temperatures remained above 20°C overnight.

France also saw record-breaking conditions, with temperatures climbing to 36 C in the southwest and nighttime temperatures remaining above 20 C in many areas.

France's weather agency, Météo-France, said a "heat dome" caused by a high-pressure weather system was trapping hot air and producing temperatures more than 10 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms.

Climate experts warned that increasingly extreme weather events are linked to global warming.

"We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that heat wave events such as this have been made more likely and more severe due to climate change arising from our emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases," said Peter Thorne, director of the ICARUS Climate Research Center at Maynooth University in Ireland.

"Nevertheless, many of the records being set, particularly in the U.K. and France, are mind-bogglingly crazy," Thorne added.

The heat disrupted daily life across parts of Europe.

In London, commuters struggled through subway journeys on trains without air conditioning, while services at Waterloo station were disrupted after reports of smoke on railway tracks.

In Scotland, firefighters battled overnight to contain a grass fire near Arthur's Seat, the hill overlooking Edinburgh.

Britain's Health Security Agency issued an amber heat-health alert covering much of the country through Thursday, warning that high temperatures could pose risks, especially for older people and vulnerable groups.

The heat wave has also been linked to several deaths.

Authorities in Britain reported at least three teenage drowning deaths in lakes and reservoirs, while a 60-year-old man died in the sea off southwest England.

French government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said at least seven deaths may have been linked to the high temperatures, including five drownings and two fatalities during sports competitions.

The unusually early onset of extreme heat has also increased risks, as many beaches have not yet deployed seasonal lifeguards.

In France's Gironde region along the Atlantic coast, officials reported multiple surf emergencies and two drowning deaths at popular beaches.

Regional administrator Sophie Brocas urged beachgoers "to exercise the utmost caution."

The heat extended into southern Europe as well.

Spanish weather service spokesperson Rubén del Campo said temperatures across much of the Iberian Peninsula were running 5 to 10 degrees Celsius above normal for May. "We find ourselves with temperatures we normally see in the middle of the summer now in May," del Campo said.

Seville recorded temperatures of 38 C over the weekend, while Rome was forecast to reach 32 C on May 26.