Extreme Heatwave Engulfs Europe, Nations on High Alert

A heat dome phenomenon is triggering an extreme heatwave across various European countries this week. Temperatures in several regions are expected to surpass 40 degrees Celsius, with the hot conditions only forecast to begin easing on Monday (29/6). Numerous nations have issued weather warnings and emergency measures to cope with the impact of the high temperatures, ranging from school closures to heightened vigilance against forest fire risks and health problems.

In the United Kingdom, dozens of schools in England and Wales announced they would close early on Tuesday (23/6) due to the extreme heatwave. Some schools will be shut for two days or more, while the Met Office has issued a rare red warning for Wednesday and Thursday. One school in Buckinghamshire told AFP that most of its buildings lack adequate air conditioning and have very little outdoor shade. Beyond endangering health, the high temperatures are also disrupting the teaching and learning process. A London teacher told The Independent that on the hottest days, it is almost impossible for teachers to teach or for pupils to learn. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking at London Climate Action Week, warned of the dangers of extreme heat in urban areas, stating that London is not just calling us, but boiling, and stressed that the climate crisis is pushing temperatures higher and bringing the world closer to catastrophic tipping points. He also linked the energy crisis to the climate crisis, asserting both share a root cause in the world’s dependence on fossil fuels.

In Spain, most of the country was under heat warnings on Tuesday, with the highest-level red alert activated in cities like Cordoba and Bilbao. The national weather agency AEMET warned of extreme danger in Cordoba and surrounding southern areas, as well as in northern regions that rarely experience such extreme heat. A spokesperson noted that temperatures were between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius above normal for the period, and in some northern areas, more than 10 degrees above average. The heatwave in Spain began on Sunday and is expected to last at least until Thursday.

France’s meteorological agency placed 54 departments across the country on red alert on Tuesday, with maximum daytime temperatures forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in many cities by the weekend. Meteo France warned that the stifling and exhausting heat would persist nationwide. The agency also cautioned that new temperature records are expected, some potentially surpassing all-time highs regardless of the season. The heatwave arrived much earlier than usual for the summer, drawing comparisons to the catastrophic August 2003 heatwave, which caused an estimated 15,000 deaths, mostly among elderly people in apartments and care homes in a country that then lacked widespread air conditioning. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was scheduled to chair a crisis meeting with cabinet ministers on Tuesday. Meanwhile, dozens of people have drowned in France while seeking relief from the scorching air. Lecornu reported around 40 such deaths since Thursday, and the sports minister noted that about 20 fatalities occurred over the weekend alone, warning that swimming in unauthorised areas during a heatwave is not a trivial matter.

In Italy, the Ministry of Health issued its highest heatwave alert for 15 cities on Tuesday, including Rome, Milan, Turin, and Venice. Under the red alert, the government advised the public to spend time in air-conditioned public spaces, avoid direct sun exposure and strenuous outdoor activity, use high-SPF sunscreen, and eat lighter meals, specifically recommending pasta and fish over meat. The hot weather is expected to continue until at least Wednesday, with the red alert extended to 16 cities.

Germany is also bracing for a continued heatwave throughout the week, with temperatures in some western regions forecast to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, accompanied by an elevated risk of forest fires.