Faced with one of the strongest waves of the last decades is , with being at the center of the crisis. The extreme temperatures have caused dozens of , transport problems, suspensions of schools and tourist sites, while concerns are growing about serious effects on agricultural production.
In France, where temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius and are expected to reach 43 degrees in some places, authorities have put more than half of the country’s administrative departments on red alert. Monday was recorded as the warmest day and night since 1947, when official records began.
The situation has already proved deadly. According to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecorny, 40 people have drowned since June 18 trying to cool off in rivers, lakes and canals, with most of the victims being young people. Meanwhile, two young children, aged two and four, died after being found unconscious in a parked car in south-eastern France.
Forecasters attribute the heatwave to a powerful “Omega Blocker” effect in which warm air masses get trapped between cooler systems and remain over the same area for days. Experts warn that climate change makes such phenomena increasingly frequent and intense.
The French meteorological service is already comparing current conditions with the historic heatwave of 2003, which caused an estimated 80,000 extra deaths across Europe.
In Paris, the extreme heat has affected even the top cultural attractions. The Eiffel Tower was forced to limit its operations, while the Louvre Museum announced that from Wednesday to Saturday it will close at 4pm instead of 6pm. The museum management explained that the historic building remains vulnerable to extreme temperatures and is not sufficiently adapted to the consequences of climate change. As noted, the heat build-up during the afternoon hours is intensified by the high visitor numbers, making both working conditions and the visitor experience difficult.
The effects are not limited to the daily life of citizens. Analysts estimate that France, the European Union’s largest grain producer, may suffer significant losses in corn and wheat production. Markets reacted immediately to the estimate, with wheat and corn futures on Euronext up around 3%.
What is happening in the rest of the European countries
Italy is also facing extreme temperatures. The health ministry issued the highest level of alert for 15 cities, while authorities imposed work restrictions in some industries to protect workers. At the same time, strong storms are expected in the Alps and the Apennines with heavy rainfall, gale force winds and hail.
In Britain, temperatures in southern England are expected to reach up to 37C, a level that could set a new record for the month of June. Dozens of schools have scheduled an early end to classes, while pressure is also being recorded on transport networks.
Spain is facing temperatures of up to 44 degrees Celsius. The national weather service has issued red warnings for many parts of the country, while dozens of municipalities in northern Spain have canceled traditional summer bonfires due to the increased risk of wildfires.
In Madrid there are special air-conditioned shelters for the homeless and other vulnerable groups, offering coolness, basic nutrition, shower facilities and rest areas.
High temperatures even affect the educational process. A school near Brussels has moved final exams to a church so students can be tested in more tolerable conditions.
In Switzerland, authorities in the canton of St. Gallen have imposed restrictions on pumping water from rivers and lakes, as prolonged heat and a lack of rainfall have significantly reduced available water supplies.
Changes in travel and tourism due to the heat wave
The heat wave seems to be affecting even tourist flows. More and more travelers are choosing more northern destinations in search of milder temperatures. Typical is the example of German tourists who chose Stockholm instead of Croatia, looking for a cooler summer.
At the same time, many European cities are seeing increased demand for fans and air conditioners, while local authorities are keeping parks open overnight so citizens can find shelter from the heat.
Scientists warn that Europe is warming at a rate more than twice the global average, making prolonged and extreme heat waves an increasingly common feature of European summers.
