30/06/2025
EUROPE SWELTERS UNDER INTENSE HEATWAVE
An intense and persistent heatwave has gripped large parts of southern Europe, with record-breaking temperatures prompting health and environmental warnings in France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The blistering conditions, which meteorologists link directly to climate change, are straining healthcare systems, threatening livelihoods, and increasing the risk of wildfires across the region.
In Spain, the town of El Granado in Huelva province provisionally recorded 46°C on Saturday, the highest June temperature ever in the country. State meteorological agency Aemet and the health ministry have issued high heat alerts, urging the public to stay hydrated, avoid the sun, and check on vulnerable populations, including the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses or socioeconomic challenges. The heatwave is forecast to persist until Thursday, with daytime highs above 42°C in several areas.
France has placed 84 of its 96 mainland departments on an “orange” heat alert, the highest extent of national coverage in recorded history. Only parts of Brittany and Normandy were exempt as temperatures soared past 40°C. Schools were closed in over 200 locations and speed limits reduced on motorways to curb pollution. A wildfire in Corbières, caused by embers from a barbecue trailer, scorched 400 hectares before being brought under control.
In Italy, hospitals have reported a 20% surge in emergency admissions, particularly in Tuscany, as citizens suffer from dehydration and heat-related illnesses. The government placed 21 major cities including Rome, Milan, and Naples on the highest heat alert. Outdoor work bans are being considered in several regions during the hottest hours of the day. Meanwhile, wildfires have broken out in Lazio, Sicily, Campania, and Sardinia, where 24 fires were reported within hours.
Portugal and Germany are also bracing for impact. In Portugal, temperatures reached the mid-40s in cities such as Santarem, where pilgrims on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago described “feels like” conditions of 44°C. Germany expects temperatures to reach 40°C by Wednesday, prompting authorities to advise businesses on heat-protection measures and water conservation efforts. Forest fire risks are high in several German states, including Baden-Württemberg and Saxony.
Experts warn that this crisis exemplifies the growing threat of human-induced climate change, which is amplifying the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events. The Climate Shift Index has given the current heatwave its highest rating a +5 indicating a strong link to global warming.
“This fits perfectly with a situation where you have a warmer planet,” said Rubén del Campo, spokesperson for Aemet, noting that Spanish summers are increasingly encroaching on spring. “The climate in Spain isn’t the one we used to know. It’s got more extreme.”
Health authorities across Europe continue to urge residents and tourists to avoid exposure during peak sunlight hours, drink water regularly, wear light clothing, and check on at-risk neighbors.
Source The Guardian