Europe is enduring an intense heatwave with record temperatures across France, Spain, and the UK. On Sunday, Portugal’s inland town of Mora reached 46.6°C, the highest June temperature ever recorded in the country, according to Euronews. The previous record was 44.9°C in 2017.

France Issues Red Heat Alerts

French Prime Minister François Bayrou announced on Tuesday that 16 departments were placed under the highest red alert by Météo-France, while 68 others were under an orange alert. Al Jazeera reported that some areas of France experienced power outages as the heatwave intensified.

“We cannot afford further delay. Leaders must prioritise investment in climate-resilient health systems, while also accelerating climate action and mitigating the drivers of the climate crisis,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO. The WHO statement highlights growing concerns over the long-term impacts of the heatwave on public health.

Spain and the UK Break Records

Spain’s national weather service reported that Barcelona recorded its hottest June in a hundred years since 1914. The Fabra Observatory, located on a hill overlooking the city, recorded an average temperature of 26°C, surpassing the previous record of 25.6°C in 2003.

The UK’s Met Office reported on Wednesday that the country had its hottest June day on record, with a provisional temperature of 35.7°C. This broke the previous record from the summer of 1976. A red heat health alert was issued for most of central and southern England and Wales, a warning level only used twice before, with the first being in July 2022 when temperatures exceeded 40°C.

Mark Sidaway, deputy chief forecaster for the UK Met Office, said: “Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events, and we’re expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many, even beyond those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat.”

Heat Impacts on Travel and Daily Life

In the UK, some schools in England were closed due to the heat, and many train services were cancelled. Passengers were advised to avoid nonessential travel in areas covered by the red warning. Eurostar cancelled four trains between London and Paris on Wednesday and Thursday due to expected adverse weather.

Portugal saw a rare weather phenomenon with a roll cloud that surprised beachgoers on Sunday. While temperatures have stabilized in the capital, inland areas are still expected to hit 43°C. Spain’s southern province of Huelva recorded a record 46°C on Saturday, and Sunday’s national average of 28°C set a new record for that date since 1950.

Italy also declared a red heatwave alert in 16 cities, including Milan and Rome. The heatwave is expected to peak in the UK and France on Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures in London and southern England possibly reaching 39°C. Conditions are expected to ease by Friday in the UK, according to the Met Office.