Record-breaking heat is scorching Southern Europe, with several countries experiencing their highest temperatures ever recorded. The severe heatwave is affecting France, Spain, Portugal, and Slovenia, causing widespread concern and prompting emergency measures.
Scorching Temperatures Across the Region
In France, temperatures have soared above 35 degrees Celsius across much of the country, with some areas nearing 40 degrees. Meteo-France has issued orange alerts for 84 departments due to the heatwave that began on June 19. The peak is expected on July 1, with temperatures reaching up to 41 degrees. Measures such as shutting down nuclear reactors, closing schools, and adjusting working hours at construction sites have been implemented to cope with the extreme heat.
Spain recorded its highest-ever temperature for June, with the town of El Granado in Huelva reaching a sweltering 46 degrees Celsius. Over 100 monitoring stations reported temperatures exceeding 40 degrees during the first major heatwave of the year. Tragically, several heat-related deaths have been reported, including a street cleaner in Barcelona and workers in Tarragona and Aragon.
Portugal’s inland town of Mora hit 46.6 degrees Celsius, surpassing previous records. The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere issued red alerts for multiple districts, warning that high temperatures will persist, especially inland. The extreme heat and dry conditions have elevated the risk of wildfires in 80 municipalities.
Slovenia experienced its hottest, driest, and sunniest June since records began in 1950, with temperatures 3.5 degrees Celsius above average. Some regions received less than 10 millimeters of rainfall, making it the driest June on record for those areas.
Climate Change Concerns
Scientists are raising alarms that such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. They are urging policymakers to accelerate measures to adapt and build resilience in the face of a warming climate.
The Mediterranean Sea also recorded its highest average sea surface temperature ever for June, reaching 26.01 degrees Celsius, according to data from the European Copernicus program.
As Southern Europe grapples with unprecedented heat, authorities are taking urgent actions to protect residents and mitigate the impacts. The heatwave serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change on a global scale.
