Thousands of European weather records were broken between Saturday and Monday. Temperatures soared 18 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 20 Celsius) above normal from France to Russia. At least seven countries saw their warmest January weather on record as temperatures surged to springtime levels. The Czech Republic sets a new monthly maximum of 63.9 degrees (17.7 Celsius). Monday marks the third day of widespread high temperatures previously unheard of in midwinter.
The warmth is slowly easing as Arctic air creeps in from the northeast. Above-normal temperatures are forecast for much of Europe through at least Jan. 10.
