An intense heatwave has swept across large parts of Europe, pushing temperatures above 40C in several countries and prompting high-level weather warnings,
transport disruption, school closures and concerns over electricity supplies. France, Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy are among the countries under red or severe heat alerts, with forecasters warning that both June and all-time temperature records could be broken before conditions ease. The heatwave has already been linked to a number of deaths across the continent. In France, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said 40 people had drowned in unsupervised waterways since 18 June as many sought relief from the heat by swimming in rivers and canals. Two young children, aged two and four, were also found unconscious in a family car outside their home in Carpentras. Emergency responders were unable to revive them. In the United Kingdom, separate reporting on earlier heatwaves this year has linked at least 15 deaths to water-related incidents. Health authorities have repeatedly warned that many heat-related deaths are preventable. Earlier this month, the World Health Organization's Europe office said more than 200,000 people across the continent had died from heat-related causes over the past four years.
Countries Under Heat Alerts
France
France's national weather service, Météo France, has issued red heat alerts for 54 departments, covering roughly half the country. Temperatures are expected to approach 40C across much of France, with highs of up to 43C forecast in some western regions.
Forecasters have warned that temperature records could be broken, potentially surpassing previous records regardless of the season.
United Kingdom
The Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning covering southern England and south-east Wales for Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures in southern England are expected to reach 37C before rising to at least 39C later in the week. Forecasters say the conditions could challenge the UK's June temperature record.
Spain
Spain's state weather agency, AEMET, has issued red alerts in parts of the country. Authorities warned temperatures could reach 44C after the town of Andújar recorded more than 45C on Monday.
Around 30 weather stations continued to record temperatures above 25C overnight, providing little relief from the heat.
Italy
Italy's Health Ministry has issued its highest-level heat warning for 15 cities.
Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Switzerland
Authorities in Belgium have introduced measures to protect students and residents as temperatures rise.
Germany is forecasting highs of between 32C and 39C in central and southern regions, while Portugal and Switzerland are also preparing for extreme temperatures as the heat spreads across Europe.
Travel Disruption Across Europe
Transport networks have come under pressure as temperatures rise. In France, some train services, including routes between Paris and Brussels, have been cancelled.
In the UK, Network Rail has advised passengers to travel only if necessary during the hottest days of the week. Speed restrictions may be imposed to protect rail infrastructure from heat-related damage.
Separately, severe overnight thunderstorms disrupted transport services in London, including operations at Heathrow Airport.
The demand for air conditioning and cooling is placing additional strain on Europe's electricity grids. During a comparable heatwave last year, daily power demand rose by as much as 14%, while electricity prices increased to between two and three times their normal levels.
Energy analysts have warned that the current heatwave could again place pressure on power supplies and increase costs.
Researchers have identified Italy and Poland among the countries most vulnerable to the economic impact of power outages.
Earlier this year, Turin experienced major blackouts when electricity demand exceeded local capacity. Analysts have also warned that French nuclear power plants could face operational constraints if river water used for cooling becomes too warm.
Schools Forced to Close
Education systems across Europe have also been affected. In France, authorities have adjusted school schedules in areas covered by red heat alerts.
In the UK, dozens of schools have announced early closures because older buildings are unable to keep classrooms cool during extreme temperatures.
In Belgium, a primary school in Tervuren moved final examinations to a nearby church after classrooms became too hot for students.
What Is Causing the Heatwave?
Meteorologists say the extreme temperatures are being driven by a weather pattern known as an Omega Block. Named after its resemblance to the Greek letter Omega, the pattern features a large bulge of hot air trapped between cooler systems on either side.
This creates what forecasters describe as a "heat dome" effect, preventing hot air from dispersing and allowing temperatures to rise steadily over several days.
Unlike faster-moving weather systems, Omega Blocks can remain in place for extended periods, making heatwaves longer and more intense. Experts have compared the current conditions to the deadly European heatwave of 2003, which was linked to an estimated 15,000 deaths in France alone.
Health officials say elderly people remain among the groups most vulnerable to extreme heat. Children are also at heightened risk, with authorities pointing to recent fatalities as an example of how quickly dangerous conditions can become life-threatening.
Outdoor workers face prolonged exposure to high temperatures, prompting businesses in some countries to modify working practices.
Hospitals are preparing for an increase in cases of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, conditions that the World Health Organization says are a major contributor to heat-related deaths.
In response, some cities have opened cooling centres and introduced measures to help residents escape the heat. In Paris, for example, free cinema tickets are being offered to people under 25 and over 65 so they can spend time in air-conditioned venues.
