Source: nytimes.com
Image content: The image shows two women walking outside on a sunny day, both wearing sunglasses and denim shorts. One is holding and fanning herself with a handheld fan, while the other carries a small item in her hand and wears a white T-shirt with a red graphic.
Summary
A powerful heatwave driven by persistent high pressure is scorching much of Europe, pushing temperatures above 40°C and setting June records in Spain and Portugal while straining public health, infrastructure, and emergency services. Authorities across Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, France, Germany, and the UK issued red or amber heat alerts, opened cooling centers and climate shelters, adjusted work hours, and in some regions banned outdoor labor during peak sun. Wildfire risks spiked, with active blazes in Greece and Portugal, and storms in parts of France and Germany added to casualties and disruption. Energy and urban systems felt the heat, including a French nuclear reactor curtailed to protect river temperatures, while limited air conditioning forced residents to beaches and public cooling spaces. Scientists and officials consistently link the rising frequency and intensity of such heatwaves to human-driven climate change, warning of worsening impacts in coming days.
Key Points
- Record June temperatures hit Spain (46°C) and Portugal (46.6°C) amid widespread 40°C-plus heat.
- Governments issued top-level alerts, opened cooling centers, and restricted outdoor work to protect health.
- Wildfire danger escalated, with fires near Athens and on Chios, and in Portugal.
- Infrastructure and services strained, including a French reactor reduction and expanded public facilities access.
- Experts attribute the heatwave’s severity and frequency to climate change, with risks expected to intensify midweek.