A record number of heat alerts have been issued across France as the nation and numerous regions in southern and eastern Europe experience dangerously high temperatures. On Tuesday, Paris and 15 other French departments will be under the highest warning level, known as red alert, while an additional 68 departments are placed on orange alert, the second-highest level. This unprecedented scenario has been highlighted by France’s Climate Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher, who described the situation as extraordinary.
Extreme temperatures across Europe
Heat warnings are also prevalent in various parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, the UK, and several Balkan nations, including Croatia. Over the weekend, both Spain and Portugal recorded their hottest June temperatures ever, with El Granado in Andalucía reaching 46°C, and Mora in central Portugal registering an astonishing 46.6°C.
To address the heatwave, many countries have activated emergency medical services and are advising residents to remain indoors as much as possible. In France, nearly 200 schools have either closed or partially shuttered due to the extreme heat, which has persisted for over a week and is anticipated to peak mid-week.
Health concerns and environmental impacts
French Education Minister Elisabeth Borne is collaborating with regional authorities to ensure the safety of schoolchildren, recommending that parents keep their children at home if possible. The red alert in France will take effect at noon local time.
In southern France, multiple forest fires erupted in the Corbières mountain range over the weekend, prompting evacuations and the closure of a vital motorway. Fortunately, fire authorities confirmed that these fires have since been contained.
In Italy, 21 cities, including Rome, Milan, and Venice, are also under the highest alert level, which has coincided with a reported 10% rise in heatstroke cases at hospitals nationwide. The UK is experiencing near-record temperatures for June, with Heathrow Airport reporting a high of 33.1°C and Wimbledon recording its hottest opening day yet at 32.9°C.
As residents struggle with the relentless heat, some, like Anabel Sanchez from Seville, describe the toll it’s taking on their well-being:
“I can’t sleep well and have insomnia. I also get heat strokes, I stop eating and I just can’t focus.”
In Portugal, seven districts, including the capital Lisbon, are also facing the highest alert level.
Forecasts from the German Meteorological Service indicate that temperatures may soar close to 38°C on Tuesday and Wednesday, potentially resulting in further record-breaking conditions. Meanwhile, the heatwave has caused significant reductions in the water levels of the Rhine River, a crucial shipping route, thereby increasing freight costs.
In the Balkans, while some regions have begun to cool slightly, countries like Turkey are grappling with the aftermath of wildfires that have displaced over 50,000 residents, primarily in the resort city of Izmir. Extreme weather conditions fueled these fires, with winds reaching speeds of 120 km/h.
As Greece faces temperatures nearing 40°C, wildfires have already devastated coastal towns, leading to evacuations. In Serbia, the country reported its hottest day on record, while Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded a staggering 38.8°C in its capital, Sarajevo.
The environmental implications of the ongoing heatwave are significant, with rising temperatures in the Adriatic Sea encouraging invasive species and further straining alpine glaciers, which are shrinking at alarming rates. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk emphasized the urgent need for climate adaptation practices, urging a transition away from fossil fuels, which are the primary contributors to climate change. He stated:
“Rising temperatures, rising seas, floods, droughts, and wildfires threaten our rights to life, to health, to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and much more.”
Research from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe due to human-induced climate change. Richard Allan, a Professor of Climate Science at the University of Reading, noted that rising greenhouse gas levels hinder the planet’s ability to dissipate excess heat, resulting in intensified heatwaves.