PARIS: An early-summer heatwave has gripped large parts of Europe, prompting health alerts, school closures and transport disruptions as temperatures soared to record or near-record levels in several countries.
France endured its hottest day on record since measurements began in 1947, the national weather agency Météo-France said. It added that the country also experienced its hottest night ever recorded.
The national temperature indicator — an average of daytime and nighttime temperatures across 30 stations — reached 29.8C, according to provisional data cited by Météo-France.
Schools and tourist sites were closed early in parts of the country, while rail services were cancelled as authorities issued widespread heat alerts.
Scientists have long warned that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming. They say such events are becoming more frequent, longer and more intense due to the burning of fossil fuels.
Spain, Italy and Germany under heat alerts
Nearly all of Spain was under heat warnings, with parts of the south and north placed on the highest “extraordinary danger” alert, the national weather agency AEMET said.
Authorities urged people to take precautions, drink water and avoid outdoor exertion during peak hours.
In Italy, the health ministry issued red heatwave alerts in 15 cities, including Milan and Rome. Blackouts were reported in Milan and Turin due to increased electricity demand from air conditioning.
Germany also reported fatalities linked to drowning incidents over the weekend as temperatures rose.
UK faces rare red heat warning
In the United Kingdom, schools closed early and rail operators reduced services as a “massive front of hot air from North Africa” pushed temperatures higher, according to the Met Office.
The UK weather agency issued a rare red heat warning — only the second of its kind — for parts of central and southern England for Wednesday and Thursday.
Temperatures could reach 40C, an unprecedented level for early summer, said Met Office chief scientist Stephen Belcher, who described the outlook as “sobering”.
He added that “human-induced climate change has made events like this more likely and more intense”.
The Met Office said the UK could also break its June temperature record of 35.6C, set in 1976, with forecasts of up to 37C in southern England.
At least 300 schools were expected to close partially or fully, according to a BBC count.
James Bowen of the National Association of Head Teachers told AFP that “pretty much every school up and down the UK will be having to make some form of adaptation this week”.
Network Rail urged passengers to “only travel if absolutely necessary”, while Eurostar cancelled six services between London and Paris due to adverse weather.
Emergency warnings across Europe
France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned of “a tragic scourge of drownings”, saying 40 mostly young people had died since June 18.
Emergency services in Hungary and Slovenia reported elderly people seeking assistance as temperatures rose, while Austria, Poland, Hungary and Croatia issued heat warnings across parts of their territories.
Croatian firefighters said several wildfires had been brought under control.
Meteorologists and climate scientists linked the extreme temperatures to broader climate change trends.
The Met Office said overnight temperatures could remain above 20C in parts of the UK, creating so-called “tropical nights”.
“We’re expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many,” said Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway.
In London, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens said an oak tree that died during the 2022 drought and heatwave had been painted red to highlight the climate crisis.
“This tree died in 2022 in a very hot and dry summer, a bit like the one that we’re starting to experience this year,” said Sinead Marron from Kew Gardens.
