A vicious heatwave has engulfed southern Europe, with punishing temperatures reaching highs of 46C (114.8F) in Spain and placing almost the entirety of mainland France under alert. This extreme heat, exacerbated by fossil fuel pollution, has scorched Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Greece, marking the first major heatwave of the summer.
The high temperatures have prompted authorities across these nations to issue new health warnings and mobilize firefighters to prevent wildfires. “Extreme heat is no longer a rare event – it has become the new normal,” declared António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, at a development conference in Seville on Monday.
Heatwave Impacts Across Southern Europe
In Spain, the southern city of Seville is forecast to endure temperatures exceeding 40C for the next three days, with night-time lows remaining above 25C until Thursday. Medical professionals have raised alarms about the combination of hot days and warm nights, which can impose lethal stress on the human body.
Italy has placed 21 out of 27 cities on the highest heat alert, with hospital admissions in regions like Tuscany increasing by 20%. Residents have been advised to avoid outdoor activities between 11 am and 6 pm.
In France, nearly the entire mainland is under heat warnings for the first time in history. Météo-France has issued orange heat alerts for 88% of administrative areas. “This is unprecedented,” stated Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the French Ecology Minister.
Wildfires and Emergency Measures
Meanwhile, a wildfire broke out in Bizanet, southern France, burning 400 hectares and leading to the precautionary evacuation of over 100 residents. In response, the French government has requested businesses to adapt working hours to protect employees, and 200 public schools are set to close partially or fully on Monday and Tuesday.
In Spain, a provisional June temperature record of 46C was set in El Granado, Andalucían province, surpassing the previous record of 45.2C in Seville from 1965. According to Aemet, the Spanish meteorological agency, Sunday marked the hottest 29 June on record since 1950, with the heat expected to persist until Thursday.
Broader European Implications
Portugal faces red warnings in seven out of 18 regions, with meteorologists predicting a slight cooling by Wednesday night. Further north, Germany is also at risk, with the German weather service warning of forest fires as temperatures approach 40C. Some cities have imposed water extraction limits, and Brandenburg’s government has urged employers to consider staff safety amid the heat.
In the UK, temperatures are projected to reach 34C in London and the southeast, prompting the Met Office to warn of uncomfortable conditions for outdoor workers and event attendees, including those leaving Glastonbury and attending Wimbledon.
“Populations in urban areas like London are particularly susceptible to extreme heat as the concrete and asphalt absorb and re-emit the sun’s radiation, amplifying its impact on our bodies,”
said Radhika Khosla, an urban climatologist at the University of Oxford.
Climate Change and Future Risks
The extreme temperatures across Europe are attributed to a heat dome trapping high pressure and hot air. This occurs amid an ongoing marine heatwave that has left the Mediterranean 5C hotter than usual, according to the University of Maine’s climate change institute.
Dr. Michael Byrne, a climate scientist at the University of St Andrews, explained that while heat domes are not new, the temperatures they bring are. “Europe is more than 2C warmer than in preindustrial times, so when a heat dome occurs, it drives a hotter heatwave,” he noted.
Doctors across the continent have advised individuals to take precautions, such as staying out of the heat, hydrating, wearing loose clothing, and checking on vulnerable neighbors. Researchers estimate that dangerous temperatures in Europe could result in 8,000 to 80,000 additional deaths by the end of the century, as heat-related fatalities surpass those prevented by milder winters.
“The planet is getting hotter and more dangerous,” warned Guterres, urging more action to combat climate change. “No country is immune.”
As Europe grapples with this severe heatwave, the need for comprehensive climate action becomes increasingly urgent. The continent’s response in the coming days will be crucial in mitigating the immediate impacts and addressing the long-term challenges posed by climate change.
