Paris and much of northern France have seen dangerously high pollution levels this week, forcing authorities to offer free public transportation to Parisians for the next few days. On Thursday, the French capital and several other regions were on high alert for the third consecutive day, as unseasonably warm yet windless weather has left small, dangerous particles lingering in the yellowed Parisian air.

Smog levels are similarly elevated in London, where air quality index readings on Friday were higher than the smog-plagued Chinese cities of Shanghai and Beijing, according to the nonprofit group Clean Air in London. On Friday, Paris' Air Quality Index (AQI) readings hovered around 185, putting it on par with Beijing, one of the world's most polluted cities. The UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) forecast high pollution levels for southern England today, though it has yet to issue an air pollution alert. Neighboring countries like Belgium have also seen spikes in pollution this week.

Levels are on par with Beijing

French authorities have taken steps to mitigate the problem, which the European Environmental Agency (EEA) described as the worst pollution spell since 2007. Yesterday, the head of Paris' transit authority announced that all forms of public transportation will be free this weekend, as part of an effort to reduce the pollution caused by cars. The city had earlier announced that its public bike and car sharing services will also be free while pollution levels remain high, though environmental groups have urged the government to do more.

#Smog: #AirPollution levels in London this morning worse than Shanghai (having a bad day) and over twice Beijing pic.twitter.com/W3AHQCGIt1 — Clean Air in London (@CleanAirLondon) March 14, 2014

Mayoral candidate and environmentalist Christophe Najdovski criticized Paris authorities for showing "irresponsible inaction" yesterday, saying they should have taken steps to reduce traffic levels much sooner. He and his party have called for new traffic regulations, including the creation of a new route that would allow heavy trucks to bypass Paris and a system whereby drivers could only use their cars on alternate days, depending on whether their license plate ends in an even or odd number.

After pollution levels spiked in December, the city lowered the speed limit for some cars and banned some large trucks from entering Paris. The government is now considering stronger restrictions on the use of high-polluting vehicles, according to Jean-Paul Huchon, the socialist chairman of Paris' regional council.

Smog is alive and well in Europe.Paris yesterday. Coal, diesel buses and no wind. Solution is clear: #gazdeschiste pic.twitter.com/hUi3f9Vkx6 — Nick Grealy (@ShaleGasExpert) March 12, 2014

Experts blame the spike on the abnormally warm days and cold nights that Paris has seen in recent days. When the ground cools at night and suddenly heats up under the sun, particles from cars and heating systems can become trapped under warm air, making it difficult for them to rise into the atmosphere or be carried away with the wind.

"In the morning, there is a layer of very cold air which stays and stagnates close to the ground, whereas usually there is a natural lift of air from the ground up into to the atmosphere," says Jérôme Clave, managing director of Airparif, an organization that monitors air quality in the Paris region. This temperature inversion, he says, is "keeping all pollutants close to the ground."

Although pollution levels are similar to those seen in December, Clave says they're impacting a far wider region this month, and the spell could last for much longer. This week, concentrations of small particles in the air exceeded the threshold considered safe for humans, triggering widespread pollution alerts and health concerns. The World Health Organization last year officially classified air pollution as a carcinogen, describing it as more serious a threat than passive smoking. Other studies have linked tiny air particles to a variety of cardiac and respiratory ailments, as well.

The pollution seen in Paris isn't as severe as the crises that cities like Beijing and Shanghai have faced in recent years, though experts say health risks remain high. European leaders have looked to crack down on emissions as of late, as well. Last month, the European Commission opened legal proceedings against the UK for not doing enough to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, as specified under a longtime directive. French authorities have advised young children and the elderly to stay indoors while pollution levels remain elevated, though Paris' skies should clear soon. Meteorologists expect cooler temperatures to arrive next week.