A ferocious heatwave is sweeping across Western Europe, with temperatures forecast to reach 44C in some areas, breaking previous records. The extreme heat has led to red alerts in half of France, disrupted rail services in Belgium, and cancellations of sports events in Spain and Germany. Three elderly people in France have died, with the intense heat cited as a contributing factor.
France on Red Alert
French authorities placed 49 of the country's 96 mainland departments on a level 1 danger-to-life warning on Monday, urging 35 million people to exercise "absolute vigilance." The national meteorological service, Météo-France, advised people to drink water often, avoid strenuous exertion, and stay out of direct sun. Another 40 departments were on a level 2 orange alert.
Météo-France stated: "Very high temperatures are setting in for the long term across the country. Day and night-time temperatures will be exceptional." Temperatures in western and central France were expected to exceed 40C from Monday afternoon, hitting 43C in Bordeaux, 41C in Limoges, 40C in Toulouse and Tours, and 39C in Paris. These high temperatures are forecast to persist until the end of the week.
Record Night-Time Lows and Heat Index
Night-time lows are also predicted to be far higher than normal for the season until at least Friday. The minimum temperatures recorded in several towns and cities overnight on Sunday already set all-time records. France's national heat index, an average of day and night-time highs measured at 30 weather stations, is expected to hit its highest ever level on Monday or Tuesday, according to the forecaster.
France's health minister, Stéphanie Rist, visiting a Paris hospital on Monday, said: "Many people are going to suffer, because bodies suffer from an accumulation of high temperatures." She urged people to check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours.
Heat-Related Deaths and Drownings
In the south-west Gironde region, local officials reported that the deaths of three people on Sunday, aged between 80 and 95, were in part due to the intense heat. Emergency services also noted that 10 people, including a 13-year-old boy, drowned in swimming accidents.
France proceeded with its annual street music festival, the Fête de la Musique, on Sunday, although some local authorities cancelled it entirely or ran only evening events. Alcohol restrictions were imposed in many areas.
School and Transport Disruptions
More than 800 schools were closed nationwide on Monday, while another 1,800 rescheduled classes to allow pupils to leave early. One in 10 regional train services around Paris were cancelled due to concerns about rolling stock and tracks.
Spain's First Official Heatwave
Spain declared its first official heatwave of the year from Sunday until Wednesday, with temperatures forecast to reach 44C in some areas. A public screening in Madrid of the national football team's World Cup match against Saudi Arabia was cancelled. The state weather service, Aemet, warned of "extremely high" day and night temperatures for the season, adding that temperatures would start to drop on Thursday but remain intense.
Germany and Belgium Affected
In Germany, organisers suspended the final of the Berlin Open tennis tournament and cleared the event location due to severe thunderstorms as temperatures in the capital topped 30C over the weekend. In Belgium, temperatures already passed 30C on Sunday, with the head of forecasting at the IRM weather institute, David Dehenauw, stating they would be "the hottest ever recorded." Some rush-hour trains were cancelled to limit the risk of breakdowns.
UK Heat Warning
In the UK, the Met Office issued an "extreme heat" warning for much of southern England and parts of Wales from Monday until Thursday, predicting temperatures of 38C. The current record for a June day is 35.6C, set in 1976.
Long-Term Climate Context
Scientists have noted that as Earth continues to warm, extreme heat events historically confined to high summer will become more frequent, more intense, and last longer, as well as occurring earlier and later in the year.
