Europe Swelters Through Record Heat as Power Systems Strain

Germany hit 41.3°C—about 106 degrees Fahrenheit—near Saarbrücken, joining France, Britain, Italy, and Switzerland in breaking their hottest-ever temperatures within days. Western Europe's overall temperature averaged 24.9°C in late June, a new record. France experienced power outages before the busiest season. Schools and attractions closed across the continent. The question now: can aging power and cooling systems survive the rest of summer?