Paris is on red alert due to the rising temperature.
If you are traveling to Europe this week, find shade. An intense heat wave has gripped many parts of Western Europe, prompting several countries to issue health alerts. The scorching temperatures—uncommon but expected due to climate change—are forecast to persist until midweek. Take extra care if you are in Spain, Germany, Portugal, or France, where temperatures are expected to climb above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Authorities are advising people to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during the day.
The source of this extreme heat is a heat dome over Western Europe. Some areas may see relief later this week due to storms, but for now, much of the continent faces dangerous and punishing conditions. Experts warn that human-induced climate change is making extreme weather events more severe and more frequent.
Portugal and Spain both recorded their hottest June on record. Portugal hit a record high of 115.8 degrees Fahrenheit Sunday in the town of Mora, surpassing the previous record of 113 degrees in 2017. The country has issued heat wave warnings in seven out of its 18 districts. Neighboring Spain also reached 115 degrees Fahrenheit, breaking its previous record set in 1965. In Bilbao and Zaragoza, temperatures were nine degrees higher than average, according to Euronews. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, attending a conference in Seville, experienced the heat first-hand and tweeted, “The planet is getting hotter & more dangerous—no country is immune.”
In Paris, a red alert was issued for the first time in five years, and the Eiffel Tower is closed. There are 15 other regions in France under red alert, and schools are partially or fully closed. The risk of wildfires is high due to a lack of rain. Greece is also on high wildfire alert after a large fire broke out south of Athens. Fires are raging in Turkey as well, where 50,000 people have been evacuated from five regions and flights have been suspended at the airport in Izmir, which was badly affected.
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In Belgium, trains were canceled due to weather conditions. Rail operators advised people to work from home to avoid getting stranded. England also experienced its hottest June on record. The Wimbledon tennis tournament in the U.K. had its hottest opening day in its 148-year history, with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. A spectator lost consciousness due to the heat, and play was halted for several minutes while paramedics responded.
In Italy, Tuscany has seen a 20% rise in hospital admissions, and most of the country is under the highest heat level alert. A woman died in Sicily after fainting in the heat, and a construction worker collapsed in Bologna. Authorities are taking measures to protect the public. Public pools in Rome are free for anyone over 70, and many regions have banned outdoor work between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Germany is also expecting record-breaking temperatures this week, with readings climbing above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The country is seeing its lowest rainfall in the first half of the year. Unions have called for the government to protect children and school staff from heat waves.
Heat waves can affect anyone, but children, the elderly, outdoor workers, and pregnant women are most vulnerable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Europe, where air conditioning is not widespread, you may feel the effects more acutely. Stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, and follow local directives. Don’t overexert yourself, and take frequent showers to stay cool.
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