Intense Heatwave Strikes Many EU Countries, Temperatures Surpass 46°C

A strong heatwave engulfed southern Europe, causing a soar in temperatures. The recorded temperatures touched 46°C (114.8°F) in Spain.

In addition, France is impacted by the ongoing heatwave. Many countries across Europe also were hit by this wave such as Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain.

The high temperatures have motivated the authorities in several countries to issue new health warnings and scramble firefighters to prevent wildfires from breaking out. 

More than 50,000 people in Turkey have been evacuated from their homes due to wildfires, according to the interior ministry’s disaster and emergency management authority.

In Portugal, temperatures soared to an astonishing 46.6°C (115.9°F) in the town of Mora. Authorities are now assessing whether this marks a new national record for June, as red alerts grip much of the country.

Across the border in Spain, the southern city of Seville is bracing for several more days of unrelenting heat above 40°C.

On Sunday, 21 out of 27 major cities in Italy were placed under the country’s maximum heat alert, with some hospitals—especially in Tuscany—reporting a 20% surge in admissions. 

Public health officials have urged residents to stay indoors between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., when the risk of heatstroke and dehydration is highest.

Meanwhile in France, the heatwave has pushed the country into uncharted territory. For the first time, nearly 90% of administrative regions are under orange-level heat alerts. 

Over 200 schools will either partially or fully shut their doors on Monday and Tuesday, and businesses have been advised to modify work schedules to shield employees from peak temperatures. 

The season’s first major wildfire ignited over the weekend in Bizanet, in southern France, scorching 400 hectares and forcing over 100 people to evacuate.

Back in Spain, El Granado set a new June record with 46°C, smashing the previous high of 45.2°C recorded in Seville back in 1965.

According to Spain’s national weather agency Aemet, Sunday marked the hottest 29 June on record since national data collection began in 1950—and the heat is forecast to linger until at least Thursday.

In Portugal, seven out of 18 districts remain under red alerts for extreme heat, though meteorologists expect a slight reprieve starting Wednesday night.

Further north, the heatwave’s reach continues. In Germany, the national weather service has warned of heightened wildfire risks due to extreme dryness and rising temperatures, which are expected to near 40°C by midweek.