PARIS: A severe heatwave swept across large parts of Europe on Sunday, with temperatures approaching 40°C and authorities issuing warnings amid growing concerns that the continent is facing an unusually early and prolonged spell of extreme summer weather.
The surge in temperatures coincided with the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, traditionally marking the beginning of the hottest period of the year, and has raised fears that persistent heat could become a defining feature of the coming months.
Meteorologists attributed the soaring temperatures to a mass of hot air moving northwards from the Sahara. The phenomenon, driven by a powerful high-pressure system known as the African anticyclone, has created a “heat dome” over western and central Europe, trapping hot air and causing temperatures to rise steadily.
In Italy, authorities issued the highest-level red heat alerts for eight cities, including Bologna, Florence, Milan and Turin, after several days of temperatures exceeding 35°C.
In Rome, thousands of pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square sought shade under umbrellas and parasols as Pope Leo XIV delivered the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace.
Spain also remained firmly in the grip of the heatwave, with the national weather agency AEMET issuing red and orange alerts across several regions. Forecasters warned that temperatures could exceed 39°C and reach 40°C in parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Mallorca, with the extreme conditions expected to persist until at least the middle of the week.
Residents and tourists in Madrid attempted to cope with the sweltering weather by carrying portable fans and consuming cold drinks while visiting the capital’s popular El Rastro market. The intense heat has also begun affecting infrastructure across the continent.
In France, railway operator SNCF announced the cancellation of 71 intercity services until Monday as high temperatures threatenedoverhead power lines and caused railway tracks to expand.
Speaking at Paris’ Gare Montparnasse station, SNCF chief Jean Castex said thousands of employees had been mobilised to monitor the network and carry out emergency repairs. Vulnerable passengers were advised to postpone non-essential journeys.
Germany, where temperatures have climbed to as high as 38°C, faced a different threat as the country’s weather service warned of severe thunderstorms in eastern regions, including Berlin.
Heavy rain disrupted celebrations during the open-air Fête de la Musique festival and forced organisers to evacuate spectators from the Berlin Open tennis tournament as fans awaited the singles final.
Europe’s heatwave strains infrastructure
The impact of the heatwave has extended beyond people and infrastructure, placing increasing pressure on wildlife rescue centres.
A rehabilitation centre near the Belgian city of Namur reported receiving around 150 animals suffering from heat stress in recent days, with young birds among the most vulnerable.
Romain De Jaegere, founder of the CREAVES rescue centre, said many nestlings were abandoning their nests to escape the extreme heat, adding that wildlife facilities across Belgium were struggling to cope with the growing number of cases.
Climate experts have repeatedly warned that global warming is making heatwaves across Europe more frequent, longer-lasting and more intense, increasing risks to public health, infrastructure and ecosystems.
