Western Europe swelters under record-breaking May heatwave as Italy declares red alert and France faces political backlash

A historic and early-season heatwave is baking Western Europe, shattering national temperature records for the month of May and triggering emergency health alerts from Italy to Portugal. The extreme weather, caused by a 'heat dome' of high pressure trapping hot air from North Africa, has brought temperatures 10 to 15 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms.

Record-breaking temperatures

Portugal recorded its hottest May day ever on Wednesday, with the central town of Mora reaching 40.3°C, surpassing the previous record of 40°C set in 2001. France also set a new national May record, with the southwestern city of Angoulême-La Couronne hitting 37.8°C. In Paris, temperatures are expected to peak at 34°C over the weekend, keeping the capital under an orange heatwave alert.

We flood the courts, we soak them, so as to replenish with water the different layers that make up the clay.

Health emergencies and red alerts

Italy's Ministry of Health declared a red alert—the highest level—for Rome, Florence, Bologna, Turin, and Brescia on Thursday. The alert warns of a situation capable of causing negative health effects even in healthy and active people, not just vulnerable groups like the elderly, young children, and the chronically ill. This maximum level is activated when high temperatures persist for three or more consecutive days. In Portugal, Health Minister Ana Paula Martins reported a spike in hospitalizations linked to the heat.

We're sweating a lot. We're drinking a lot of water so we can cool down.

Fatalities and societal disruption

Several deaths have been reported in Britain and France, mostly from drowning accidents that authorities have directly or indirectly linked to the baking heat. In France's Landes region, a primary school in Souston was forced to close after corridor temperatures reached 53°C, causing pupils to fall ill and vomit. The heat also wreaked havoc at the French Open, where world number one Jannik Sinner suffered from dehydration, dizziness, and nausea during a shock second-round loss.

There was even someone who fainted and vomited.

Political fallout in France

The heatwave has sparked a political row in France over government preparedness. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu chaired an emergency ministerial meeting to develop a summer 'endurance plan' covering forest fires, water supplies, and public institutions. Green party leader Marine Tondelier slammed the government's response, while education unions criticized the decision to proceed with baccalaureate exams despite classroom temperatures exceeding 30°C.

I am stunned by the government's lack of preparation.

Climate change and the forecast

Scientists emphasize that human-driven climate change is making such extreme weather events more intense and frequent. The heatwave is forecast to continue into the weekend, with Germany, Spain, and Switzerland also facing unusually hot conditions. Portugal's meteorological office expects parts of the country to peak above 35°C on Thursday and Friday before the heat begins to recede.