Severe Heatwave Hits Southern Europe as Temperatures Soar

As an unprecedented heatwave affects Southern Europe, with temperatures surging beyond 40°C, public health measures are being activated to protect residents from heat-related incidents, particularly vulnerable populations.

Southern Europe is currently engulfed in a severe heatwave, with high temperatures affecting countries including Italy, Greece, France, Spain, and Portugal. Forecasts predict that in Spain, particularly the city of Seville, temperatures could soar to a staggering 42°C over the weekend. The extreme heat is being fueled by hot air from North Africa, spreading across the Balkan region and impacting popular holiday spots like Croatia. According to BBC Weather, this intense heatwave is notably unusual for this early in the summer, as similar high temperatures typically occur in July and early August.

In Spain, emergency services have been prepared for an influx of heatstroke cases, especially among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Meanwhile, in Italy, local authorities in cities like Rome, Milan, and Venice have advised residents to remain indoors from 11:00 to 18:00 local time to mitigate health risks. Notably, some celebrities have gathered in Venice for the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, raising concerns about cooling measures during the event.

France has already been experiencing extreme heat conditions for over a week, prompting the issuance of orange heat alerts—indicating the second-highest level of warning—for several southern regions. In Marseille, city officials have made municipal swimming pools accessible free of charge to help residents cope with the heat.

Moreover, yellow and amber alerts have been issued in parts of England, where temperatures are expected to reach 32°C over the weekend. The heatwave is projected to continue until Tuesday evening. The situation has also raised alarms due to wildfires, notably in Greece, where coastal towns near Athens have been devastated by flames, leading to evacuations.

While it is challenging to attribute individual extreme weather events directly to climate change, experts assert that heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity. Research from World Weather Attribution indicates that current heatwaves in June, characterized by three consecutive days above 28°C, are approximately ten times more likely to happen than in the pre-industrial period.