Western Europe was hit by unseasonably warm weather on Tuesday, with record-breaking temperatures across the continent.Temperatures soared well above the normal average for May, according to weather agencies, trapped under a high pressure system carrying hot air from North Africa and over Western Europe. At least seven people died directly or indirectly due to the extreme weather in France, Reuters reports, while authorities in several countries issued warnings and restrictions. France’s weather service said Monday was the hottest May day recorded in the country since measurements began, while Britain also recorded its hottest May day. Temperatures are expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius in parts of France on Tuesday, with the heat likely to continue through Wednesday and Thursday.France’s junior energy minister Maud Bregon said the seven people who died in the heat wave included five who drowned in lakes, rivers and beaches as people sought respite from rising temperatures. Officials also directed local administrations to enforce protective measures during sporting events.In Paris, spectators and players had to contend with difficult conditions at Roland Garros as temperatures hovered around 33C. French authorities said one person died during a 10-kilometre race in Paris on Sunday, while 10 others were hospitalized in serious condition after another race near the capital.Much of Brittany remained under an orange level heat warning on Tuesday.“It’s a bit worrying because it’s not really normal at this time of year, but unfortunately I think it’s going to become the norm in France,” student Chloe Voisin told AFP in Bordeaux.In Britain, the Met Office recorded a maximum temperature of 34.8C at Kew Gardens, south-west London, on Monday, two degrees higher than last May’s record. Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst described the temperatures as “a good indicator of climate change” and said such conditions were increasingly likely to become the “new norm”.“This heat would be extraordinary even in the middle of summer in the UK, let alone May,” the Met Office posted on Twitter. In London, temperatures at this time of year are usually around 17C or 18C.Tourists and residents struggled to cope with the conditions. “If you’re not concerned about global warming, you must be completely deaf, blind, right?” Swiss tourist Philippe Bignens told AFP in London.Spain’s meteorological agency Emet warned of “exceptionally high temperatures for this time of year”, predicting “broad tropical nights” this weekend as well as high temperatures between 36C and 38C.In Italy, Lazio authorities banned outdoor work between 12.30pm and 4pm in sectors including farming, construction and logistics.Scientists said human-induced climate change is intensifying heat waves, droughts and floods, making such extreme weather events more frequent and severe across Europe, AFP reports.