Residents are grappling with an unprecedented early heatwave, as soaring temperatures are reported across Italy, Greece, Spain, and others.
Scorching Temperatures Grip Southern Europe Amid Early Heatwave
Scorching Temperatures Grip Southern Europe Amid Early Heatwave
Countries in Southern Europe face extreme weather as temperatures soar above 40C, raising health and fire alerts.
Southern Europe finds itself in the grip of a record-setting heatwave, with temperatures forecasted to soar beyond 40C this weekend across several nations. Countries like Italy, Greece, France, Spain, and Portugal are bracing for the extreme weather, with Seville, Spain, predicted to reach a blistering 42C on Sunday. The hot air from North Africa is affecting the weather patterns, sending oppressive heat across the Balkans and popular tourist spots like Croatia.
BBC Weather reported that this heatwave is unusually severe for June, a month typically characterized by milder temperatures. In Spain, emergency services are charging into action to manage an anticipated rise in heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations including children and the elderly. “The heat in Madrid is becoming unbearable, especially this early in the summer,” noted Marina, a local resident. Another resident, Janeth, commented on the intensity this year, stating, “People are drinking more water; it’s too hot to be outside.”
In Italy, cities including Rome and Milan have issued advisories urging locals to remain indoors during the peak heat hours, and even high-profile gatherings, like the wedding of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, are affected. “The humidity is unbearable; it feels suffocating at night,” lamented tourist Alejandra Echeverria in Venice.
France has been under a heatwave warning for over a week, with the southern regions now subject to orange heat alerts. Municipalities in Marseille have opened swimming pools for free to help residents cope. With temperatures soaring, there are even calls to close schools to protect children's health. The UK isn’t spared either, with parts of England bracing for high temperatures close to 35C on Monday.
The situation, however, has already sparked wildfires in Greece, where coastal towns near Athens have suffered devastating flames resulting in evacuations. While it remains challenging to directly link singular extreme weather events to climate change, experts indicate heatwaves are subsequently becoming more prevalent. Scientists from World Weather Attribution have concluded that the occurrence of heatwaves—defined as three consecutive days exceeding 28C—has increased by a factor of 10 since pre-industrial eras, indicating a troubling trend for the future of European climates.
BBC Weather reported that this heatwave is unusually severe for June, a month typically characterized by milder temperatures. In Spain, emergency services are charging into action to manage an anticipated rise in heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations including children and the elderly. “The heat in Madrid is becoming unbearable, especially this early in the summer,” noted Marina, a local resident. Another resident, Janeth, commented on the intensity this year, stating, “People are drinking more water; it’s too hot to be outside.”
In Italy, cities including Rome and Milan have issued advisories urging locals to remain indoors during the peak heat hours, and even high-profile gatherings, like the wedding of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, are affected. “The humidity is unbearable; it feels suffocating at night,” lamented tourist Alejandra Echeverria in Venice.
France has been under a heatwave warning for over a week, with the southern regions now subject to orange heat alerts. Municipalities in Marseille have opened swimming pools for free to help residents cope. With temperatures soaring, there are even calls to close schools to protect children's health. The UK isn’t spared either, with parts of England bracing for high temperatures close to 35C on Monday.
The situation, however, has already sparked wildfires in Greece, where coastal towns near Athens have suffered devastating flames resulting in evacuations. While it remains challenging to directly link singular extreme weather events to climate change, experts indicate heatwaves are subsequently becoming more prevalent. Scientists from World Weather Attribution have concluded that the occurrence of heatwaves—defined as three consecutive days exceeding 28C—has increased by a factor of 10 since pre-industrial eras, indicating a troubling trend for the future of European climates.
