Southern Europe is enduring an intense heatwave with temperatures above 45°C recorded in parts of Spain and Portugal, and emergency measures enforced across Italy and Greece due to rising health and fire risks.
Spain registered a new June temperature record on Sunday. The national meteorological agency Aemet reported 46°C in El Granado, in the southern region of Andalusia. Several other Spanish cities, including Seville, approached similar levels, prompting heat warnings and international travel advisories.
In Portugal, two-thirds of the country was placed under maximum heat and wildfire alerts. Lisbon reached temperatures above 42°C, and conditions prompted national authorities to prepare for potential evacuations and firefighting operations. Emergency services monitored tourist-heavy areas where ambulances were placed on standby.
Italy saw similar conditions, with 21 of its 27 major cities under the highest heat alert. In regions including Lazio, Tuscany, and Puglia, outdoor work was banned during peak sunlight hours. Hospitals introduced dedicated treatment routes for heatstroke patients to speed up medical response. Trade unions have called for nationwide implementation of such measures.
Greece continued to battle active wildfires, including one south of Athens where 130 firefighters were deployed alongside helicopters and planes. On the island of Chios, a woman was arrested on suspicion of unintentional arson after flames burned for three days across brushland and pasture. Firefighting teams evacuated several residents as a precaution.
Meteorologists attribute the prolonged high temperatures to a ridge of high pressure over central and western Europe. Chris England, meteorologist for Sky News, said this system is trapping heat at the surface, compounded by elevated sea surface temperatures and dry terrain.
The Alps also recorded unprecedented warmth. At Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the region, temperatures reached zero degrees Celsius on Saturday, the highest June temperature ever measured at nearly 5,000 metres above sea level, according to French outlet Le Parisien.
In France, the city of Tours announced school closures during the hottest part of the day on Monday and Tuesday. The move follows growing concern for children’s safety amid temperatures expected to surpass 40°C in parts of central France.
In the Balkans and across coastal Mediterranean areas, authorities braced for continued heat into the coming week. Forecasts predicted little overnight relief, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Medical authorities across affected countries urged residents and tourists to avoid outdoor activity during peak hours, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable individuals.
The UK, although not directly affected by the southern heatwave, is also experiencing an amber heat health alert. Temperatures in southern England were forecast to rise into the mid-30s by Tuesday, with health agencies advised to monitor infrastructure strain and vulnerable populations.
Experts continue to link these extreme heat events to long-term climate change. Studies have shown that the frequency and severity of heatwaves across Europe are increasing. Scientists warn that without reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, events like this will become more common and more dangerous.
HT
