France has never been hotter. The intense dome of high pressure sitting over Europe has shattered heat records across the continent. At least five countries set June heat records on Thursday and on Friday, France smashed its all-time temperature record at at least a dozen weather stations.

Heat has built across Western Europe all week as high pressure locks in place sunny skies and still, hot air percolates up from Africa. Climate change has also boosted background temperatures across the region, giving a lift to heat waves. Some research also indicates rapid warming in the Arctic could help lock in “stuck” weather patterns like the one Europe is seeing.

The sizzling weather toppled June temperature