Europe baked by record-breaking heatwave as France, UK set temperature marks and Italy reports first death
A severe heatwave has brought record temperatures to France and the UK, triggered red alerts across 14 countries, and caused at least one death in Italy, as authorities scramble to protect public health.
Unprecedented temperatures
Western Europe sweltered under a dome of hot air, with Météo-France declaring Wednesday the hottest day recorded in France since 1947, at an average of 30°C. The UK also saw its hottest June day, with Gosport reaching 36.1°C. Temperature anomalies ran 18°C above seasonal norms in some areas, according to Reuters Climate Monitor. Forecasts for Thursday placed Paris at 39°C, Cologne and Bologna at 36°C, and Brussels at 35°C, with central Europe bracing for 40°C over the weekend. In Ireland, Met Éireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy said the all-time temperature record of 33.3°C set in 1887 could be challenged, though cloud cover and thunderstorms made it uncertain.
There is potential for the record to be challenged but it's not in any way certain that it's going to be broken.
- Paris
- 39 °C
- Cologne
- 36 °C
- Bologna
- 36 °C
- Brussels
- 35 °C
- Berlin
- 33 °C
- London
- 31 °C
Health emergency and first fatality
A 61-year-old man died of suspected heat stroke while working his vineyard near Piacenza, Italy, on Wednesday afternoon. His brother found him lifeless among the vines around 2 p.m., and emergency services could not revive him. It was the first Italian fatality attributed to the heatwave. At least 40 people have drowned in France since the heatwave began in mid-June, many of them teenagers swimming in unsupervised areas. Irish authorities warned of water safety risks and possible forest fires, while the Welsh government declared a “heat emergency”.
Infrastructure struggles and closures
The heat overwhelmed air conditioning at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, forcing a suspension of ticket sales on Wednesday. In Wales, 800 schools closed, and Network Rail urged passengers not to travel, warning of reduced speeds and amended timetables. Nearly 120,000 homes lost electricity in France on Tuesday as the grid strained to meet demand, and a nuclear plant in the southwest was shut down because river water used for cooling was dangerously warm. Many buildings in Northern Europe lack air conditioning, compounding the discomfort.
Climate change and preparedness
Our infrastructure is absolutely not prepared for this.
Scientists stressed that while heatwaves are natural, climate change is making them more intense and frequent. Half of France’s heat waves since 1947 have occurred after 2010. Mary Gagen of Swansea University noted the “frightening” experience of physically feeling climate change and warned of tropical nights inside a heat dome. Ireland's Met Éireann confirmed that seven of the country’s ten warmest years have come since 2005, with average temperatures rising in line with global trends.
Outlook and response
Authorities across the continent issued high-level warnings and urged residents to stay indoors, drink water, and avoid strenuous activity. The red alert in the UK was extended through Thursday evening, while France placed 72 of 96 mainland departments under its highest heat warning. Forecasters expect temperatures to gradually ease in Western Europe starting Friday, but the heat wave is projected to move eastward, threatening central European capitals with 40°C highs.
- Heatwave begins across Western Europe.
- France records hottest day since 1947; UK logs hottest June day at 36.1°C; first fatality in Italy; 800 Welsh schools closed.
- 14 countries under high-level warnings; Ireland may break all-time temperature record; rail disruptions and power outages persist.
- Cooling expected in the west, but heatwave moves eastward, threatening 40°C in central capitals.
