Unprecedented heat has swept across Europe, breaking several all-time records.

Although it is summer, albeit just the start of astronomical summer, the significance of this heat so early into the season is unprecedented.

Average temperatures for this time of year across southern England are usually in the high-teens, mid-twenties for the likes of the south of France and low-twenties in north-east Germany.

And yet, several all-time maximum temperature records have been shattered at the following stations over the last week, including:

Several nations also tied or broke their monthly temperature records for June:

For most of these places, 40C has never been hit so early in the summer season.

This extreme heat, coupled with very little rain across the continent, has led to a significant reduction in river level of some of Europe’s major rivers.

In Italy’s Po river, it is the worst drought to hit in 70 years; levels are so low that shipwrecks are resurfacing.

Breaking these temperature records during a time of year that is not the normal temperature peak, is likely to become more common and increasingly severe.

Looking ahead, heat will continue to pump into southern and eastern Europe where temperatures will continue to hit 10-15C above average in parts, though a respite on the way in the west.