Source: edition.cnn.com
Image content: The image shows a person outdoors holding a pink decorative hand fan to shade their face from the sun. They are wearing sunglasses, a cap, and bracelets, suggesting a hot, sunny day.
Summary
Southern Europe is experiencing an unusually early and intense heatwave, with widespread temperatures above 40°C driving record and near-record highs across Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, France, and even the U.K. Authorities have issued top-tier health alerts, opened cooling centers, restricted outdoor work, and warned of heightened wildfire risks as blazes prompted evacuations near Athens. Warm Mediterranean sea temperatures, a persistent heat dome, and hot air from North Africa are amplifying conditions, causing tropical nights and minimal relief. Experts link the surge in frequency, duration, and intensity of European heatwaves to climate change, warning of rising heat-related mortality and more extreme summers in coming decades.
Key Points
- Temperatures exceeded 40°C across multiple countries, setting June records
- Authorities issued maximum health alerts, opened cooling facilities, and limited outdoor work
- Wildfire risks surged, with evacuations near Athens and major aerial firefighting efforts
- A heat dome and hot North African air, plus warm seas, intensified the event
- Scientists attribute worsening European heatwaves to climate change and foresee higher future extremes