A record number of heat alerts are in place across France and other parts of Europe as the continent grapples with soaring temperatures, breaking June records and triggering public health and safety warnings.
On Tuesday, French authorities placed 16 regions—including the capital, Paris—under red alert, the country’s highest weather warning level. An additional 68 regions remain under orange alert, marking an “unprecedented” situation, according to France’s Climate Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher.
The searing heat has led to the closure or partial closure of nearly 200 schools across France and prompted emergency services to remain on high alert.
In the southern Corbières mountain range, forest fires erupted on Sunday, forcing evacuations and temporarily shutting down parts of the A61 motorway. Firefighters have since managed to contain the flames, though authorities remain cautious amid continued dry and windy conditions.
Neighboring countries are similarly gripped by the heatwave. Spain and Portugal experienced their hottest June days on record over the weekend.
In El Granado, Andalucía, temperatures soared to 46°C on Saturday, while Mora in central Portugal registered 46.6°C on Sunday. Heat alerts remain in place in several Spanish provinces, with concerns the month may become the hottest June ever recorded in the country.
In Italy, 21 cities including Rome, Milan, and Venice are on maximum alert, with Sardinia also affected. The Italian Society of Emergency Medicine reported a 10% increase in heatstroke-related cases across the country.
The UK, while not reaching the extremes of its southern neighbors, saw temperatures climb to 33.1°C at Heathrow Airport on Monday, making it one of the hottest June days on record. Wimbledon’s opening day also saw its highest temperature ever recorded at 32.9°C.
In Seville, Spain, 21-year-old student Anabel Sanchez described the debilitating effects of the heat: “I can’t sleep well and have insomnia. I also get heat strokes, I stop eating and I just can’t focus.”
Portugal has placed seven districts, including the capital Lisbon, under the highest level of alert. Germany is also bracing for sweltering conditions, with forecasts predicting temperatures nearing 38°C on Tuesday and Wednesday. The heat has led to historically low water levels on the Rhine River, disrupting freight routes and increasing shipping costs.
Health officials across Europe are urging residents to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activities during peak hours, and check in on the elderly and vulnerable populations. Public water stations have been installed in major cities, and some events—including festivals—are adjusting schedules or enhancing shade and water access.
As the heatwave is expected to peak mid-week, experts warn it may be an early indicator of what’s to come in a warming climate. “This is not an anomaly—it’s becoming the new norm,” said one French meteorologist.
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