Western Europe is experiencing an extreme heatwave that is breaking multiple temperature records. France recorded its highest national temperature indicator ever at 30°C on Wednesday, the highest since records began in 1947. Maximum temperatures across western France ranged from 39°C to 43°C, with 43°C recorded in the Poitou-Charentes-Val de Loire region, slightly lower than the 44.3°C seen in Pissos on Tuesday.
The direct impact is being felt in the tourism sector. The Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower closed early as they are not sufficiently adapted to extreme heat. A Louvre spokesperson stated the building was not adequately prepared for climate change. In the UK, temperatures reached 36.1°C in Gosport, Hampshire on Wednesday, breaking the record for the hottest June day. Forecasters predict temperatures could hit 38°C on Thursday.
Spain is also experiencing scorching heat with daily average temperatures reaching 28.17°C on Tuesday, the highest ever recorded for June. Red alerts remain in place for parts of northern Spain with maximum temperatures of 42°C possible in the Basque country. Italy has 16 red alerts in effect, mostly in northern and central parts of the country. The heatwave will also extend to Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium nearer the weekend.
Germany has reported several drownings, including a 26-year-old man who died after entering the Danube River near Regensburg. Authorities in Brandenburg, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia are urging water conservation. Barbecue bans have been imposed in Stuttgart and Freiburg. The Dutch KNMI issued Code Orange warnings for southern and central areas, indicating a high chance of dangerous weather, with maximum temperatures of 37°C expected and 39°C possible on Friday.
The heatwave will extend to eastern Europe over the coming days, with severe heat warnings for Poland, Croatia, and Hungary. Some relief is expected from Friday as temperatures gradually drop. However, according to Copernicus, Europe is the fastest-warming continent, heating at twice the global average rate, meaning heatwaves like this will become increasingly frequent and intense in the years ahead.
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