Southern Europe Faces Extreme Heat as Unusual Heatwave Hits

Emergency measures are in place as heatwaves grow more intense and frequent amid climate change.

Southern Europe is grappling with an unprecedented early summer heatwave, prompting health and fire warnings in various nations. Countries such as Italy, Greece, France, Spain, and Portugal are bracing themselves as temperatures are predicted to soar past 40°C. Notably, the Spanish city of Seville is expected to experience blistering heat, potentially hitting a staggering 42°C. The extreme heat is being fueled by hot air streaming from North Africa, impacting popular tourist destinations like Croatia.

This heatwave is being described by BBC Weather analysts as "very intense" for this time of year, considering such extreme temperatures typically occur in July and early August. In Spain, emergency services have been alerted to anticipate a spike in heat-related health issues, especially among vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

In Italy, authorities are urging residents in major cities such as Rome, Milan, and Venice to remain indoors during the hottest parts of the day, particularly when the sun is at its zenith between 11:00 and 18:00 local time. Meanwhile, France has faced a heatwave lasting over a week, with orange alerts—the second highest warning level—issued for southern regions. In a bid to help residents cope with the soaring temperatures, many municipal swimming pools in Marseille have been made free for public use until the heatwave subsides.

Further north, yellow and amber warnings have been placed in parts of England, where temperatures are likely to reach 32°C. This current heatwave is anticipated to persist until Tuesday evening. The high temperatures have already resulted in wildfires in several areas, including Greece, where significant blazes near Athens led to evacuations as flames consumed homes. While attributing individual extreme weather events directly to climate change remains complex, studies from World Weather Attribution indicate that heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe, with instances of three consecutive days above 28°C occurring ten times more often today than before industrialization.