Europe Faces Historic Heatwave with Record Temperatures and Fatalities

An extraordinary heatwave is ongoing across Europe, extending further after registering record-breaking temperatures and fatalities, with forecasts indicating some countries will experience their highest temperatures in history.

In Germany, the national weather service has issued continued warnings about an intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius. This level threatens to surpass the current June temperature record on Friday. The previous record was set on July 25, 2019, in Tönisvorst and Duisburg-Beeckerwerth, where temperatures reached 41.2 degrees Celsius.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, that forty people have drowned since June 18 amid the severe heatwave. Additionally, deaths due to excessive heat have been reported among children and the elderly. The French meteorological agency stated that the night from Monday to Tuesday was the hottest ever recorded in France since climate data began in 1947.

Due to the heat, the Golfech nuclear power plant on the banks of the Garonne River in southwestern France has been closed since Monday. Train services are experiencing delays or cancellations. The management of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum announced changes to their operating hours from today until Saturday.

France has placed its emergency services and military forces on alert to respond to forest fires. Restrictions on alcohol consumption in public places have been imposed, and some outdoor sporting events have been canceled to address the ongoing heatwave affecting parts of Europe. Approximately one-third of France’s territory is under a red heat warning as of Sunday, according to the national meteorological agency.

Red Alerts Issued Across Several Countries

Italy’s Ministry of Health declared a red alert on Tuesday for an intense heatwave affecting 15 cities, including Rome and Milan, with expectations to increase to 16 cities on Wednesday. The UK Met Office also issued a rare red warning for "extreme heat" on Wednesday and Thursday for parts of southern England. The office stated on Tuesday that it is very likely the current UK June temperature record will be broken, which may result in school closures.

Spain declared a maximum alert for the heatwave on Tuesday in most regions. Certain areas in Andalusia (south), the Basque Country (northwest), and Cantabria (north) are under an exceptional danger alert. Portugal’s meteorological agency anticipates Tuesday to be the hottest day of the week.

Belgium is expected to experience its hottest week ever, with average temperatures exceeding 27 degrees Celsius, according to David Deheno, head of forecasting at the IRM meteorological institute. In the Netherlands, temperatures could reach 37 degrees Celsius by the weekend, with a yellow warning in effect nationwide due to "oppressive and uncomfortable heat."

The Italian Ministry of Health reiterated its highest alert for the heatwave on Tuesday across 15 cities, including Rome and Milan, with the number expected to rise to 16 on Wednesday. Switzerland’s meteorological service forecasts the heatwave to continue until the end of next week, with temperatures rising slightly starting Tuesday and peaking in the second half of the week.

A similar pattern is expected in Austria, where the heatwave may persist throughout the week, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in most areas, according to the national weather service. In the Balkans, regions in Croatia and Serbia are forecasted to experience high temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius in the coming days. North Macedonia’s meteorological agency predicted temperatures could reach 38 degrees Celsius on Monday in some areas, similar to Bosnia and Herzegovina.