Extreme Temperatures Continue Across Europe
The intense heatwave that has recently affected Spain, France, and the UK is now projected to spread eastward, with meteorologists in Germany and the Czech Republic forecasting extreme conditions. Germany could experience temperatures reaching 40°C in western and southwestern regions on Thursday, with similar conditions expected nationwide on Friday. An extreme weather warning is currently active across much of the Czech Republic.
France Raises Health Alert to Highest Level
In response to the escalating temperatures, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that the national health alert level has been elevated to its highest. This measure aims to bolster hospital staffing and enhance protection for vulnerable populations. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist highlighted a concerning trend of heat-related fatalities among younger individuals, in addition to the elderly.
France recorded its hottest day for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, with records continuing to fall. Météo-France reported an average minimum temperature of 22°C on Wednesday night, and Nantes in the northwest registered 27.2°C.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire noted an increase in mortality rates within the capital, which has endured high temperatures for several days. He cautioned against complacency, specifically addressing younger residents. "We must not believe ourselves to be invulnerable," he stated on French television. "I am thinking especially about the youth... At about 19:30 last night... I saw 100 or so joggers on the street. Frankly, that's irresponsible." He advised taking a break from exercise for a few days.
Tragically, a three-year-old child was discovered deceased in a car in the Paris region, following similar incidents involving two young children in Carpentras, a southern town. In Rennes, Professor Louis Soulas, head of the Accident and Emergency department, linked the deaths of five or six individuals in their homes in the region to the extreme heat. Emergency services had conducted welfare checks after calls went unanswered. Soulas emphasized that the victims were not exclusively the very elderly, but also included individuals aged 60 and above.
Rennes experienced a record-breaking 40.6°C on Monday, surpassed by 41°C the following day, exceeding the previous record set in 2022. Regional intensive care units are reportedly "saturated," indicating a peak in activity.
Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that France's Orsan health emergency plan has moved to level three to enable the health system to "withstand the strain over time and protect the most vulnerable." Three nuclear power plants in France have been taken offline due to the heat.
Wider European Impact and Climate Change Concerns
Some western regions of France are now preparing for significant thunderstorms from Thursday afternoon, with gusts up to 110km/h (68mph) expected along the Atlantic coast. The first day of the Garorock festival in the Lot-et-Garonne region, where temperatures could reach 42°C, has been canceled.
The United Nations climate change chief, Simon Stiell, asserted that "Europe's savage heatwave has the fingerprints of the climate crisis all over it." He urged for "a faster shift to renewables, protecting forests and boosting climate resilience."
Climate change is driving a global temperature increase, with Europe warming twice as fast as the global average, according to the Copernicus climate service. This phenomenon is contributing to more frequent summer heatwaves, increased strain on water supplies, and more intense wildfires. Last year, over 1 million hectares across Europe burned, a record high, with Spain particularly affected.
While temperatures in some areas of Spain are expected to peak at 38-39°C on Thursday, forecasters anticipate a cooler Atlantic air mass to arrive after the highest June temperatures were recorded this week, including 45.1°C in the southern town of Andújar on Monday.
In Germany, overnight temperatures in Bad Bergzabern did not drop below 26.2°C on Wednesday night, matching a national heat record from 2019. Germany's DWD weather service reported "heat stress" across large areas, with meteorologist Oliver Reuter suggesting this heatwave could be historically significant. Luxembourg recorded its highest June temperature of 38.3°C in Wormeldingen on Wednesday, and a red alert for "extreme thermal stress" has been extended until Saturday night.
The half marathon in Hamburg, Germany, has been canceled for Sunday, and national train operator Deutsche Bahn is offering free ticket cancellations for passengers unwilling to travel due to the extreme heat. Czech Railways has also advised passengers to consider postponing non-essential trips. Temperatures in the Czech Republic were well into the 30s on Thursday, with the ČHMÚ Hydrometeorological Institute predicting intensification on Friday and temperatures up to 40°C over the weekend. Weekend temperatures in Vienna, Austria, could also reach 40°C.
The UK's Met Office has prolonged its red extreme temperature warning until Friday evening for parts of London and southeastern England. In Italy, Florence's Uffizi museum has temporarily halted ticket sales until June 28, admitting only those with prior bookings, as its air conditioning system struggles to cope with the high visitor flow and extreme indoor temperatures of 32°C on Wednesday. Italians have experienced high temperatures since the beginning of the week, with the peak expected on Monday, when 40°C is anticipated in various northern regions and night-time temperatures may not fall below 29°C. Forecaster Lorenzo Tedici noted to Italian media, "Gone are last century's June days of 32C daytime temperatures and cool 17C nights. We have become so accustomed to excess that, paradoxically, today we welcome a forecast of 34C as good news."
Source: Europe's heatwave shifts east as France raises health alert to highest level