Half of Europe at Severe Heat Risk by 2050

An extraordinary heatwave is sweeping across Europe, North Africa, North America, the Middle East, and Central Asia, with temperatures soaring well above seasonal averages, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported Monday in Geneva.

The WMO warned that rising temperatures are intensifying heat stress and contributing to higher mortality rates, particularly in urban areas.

According to the report, by 2050, nearly 50% of Europe’s population could face extreme risk from high temperatures, especially in the southern, eastern, and western parts of the continent.

The agency linked the escalating intensity and frequency of heatwaves to human-induced climate change, emphasising that prolonged heat spells are becoming the new norm. It labelled extreme heat a “silent killer” and urged countries to implement early-warning systems and national emergency plans to safeguard lives.

The WMO explained that the current heatwave is being driven by a persistent high-pressure system trapping hot air from North Africa over Europe.

As a result, several countries are experiencing record-breaking temperatures not only in July — typically the hottest month in the Northern Hemisphere — but also unusually in June.

Spain reported temperatures of 46°C in the south, while Portugal, Italy, and Greece recorded similarly high figures. France issued a red heat alert for 16 departments, warning of a serious threat to life, and Switzerland activated a yellow alert in multiple regions including Geneva.