Record-Breaking Temperatures in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France
A relentless heatwave is currently pummeling southern Europe, with authorities issuing health warnings and fire alerts as temperatures soar once again. Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France have been enduring a brutal heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40 ºC for several days.
Spain’s Unprecedented Heat
On Saturday, Spain experienced its hottest June day since at least 1950, with temperatures reaching 46 ºC in El Granado, Andalusia. The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) confirmed this as a new record for June. The previous record, set in Sevilla in 1965, was 45.2 ºC.
The heat didn’t let up on Sunday, which was the hottest June 29th in Spain since at least 1950, according to AEMET. On Monday, the Spanish meteorological agency issued warnings for both “extreme temperatures” and thunderstorms, similar to those experienced in neighboring Portugal the previous day.
Portugal’s Record-Breaking Heat
In Portugal, temperatures reached 46.6 ºC in Mora, about 100 kilometers east of Lisbon. This is a new record for June, with the previous one dating back 60 years.
Mediterranean Sea’s Highest Temperatures
The heat also affected the Mediterranean Sea, which experienced its warmest surface temperature ever recorded for June, averaging 26.01 ºC, according to Copernicus data analyzed by the French meteorological agency.
Impact on Health and Environment
Italy’s Intense Heatwave
The Italian Ministry of Health declared a red alert for 17 cities across the country, including Rome, Milan, Florence, and Verona. Antonio Spano, founder of ilmeteo.it, told AFP that Italy is experiencing “one of the strongest heatwaves of the summer,” which is also unusually long.
Urban heat islands, caused by the “urban heat island effect,” cause even higher temperatures in cities, explained Emanuela Piervitali, a researcher at the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA).
- A 77-year-old woman died from smoke inhalation in Potenza, southern Italy, on Sunday.
- Portugal faces a maximum risk of forest fires in most forested areas, but a fire reported Sunday near Castelo Branco, central Portugal, was contained by Monday.
- More than 50,000 people from 41 localities in Turkey had to be evacuated due to forest fires. In Spain, two workers likely died from heatstroke, prompting unions to demand preventive measures from employers.
“Never Seen Before”
Experts warn that heatwaves will become more frequent and intense due to climate change. In France, Paris and 15 departments will move to the highest alert level on Tuesday, while another 68 remain at the second-highest orange level, with temperatures potentially surpassing 40 ºC in some areas.
“This is unprecedented” in France, said the Minister of Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher. Around 200 public schools out of a total of 45,000 will be partially or fully closed on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday due to the heat.
Impact on Other European Countries
Croatia’s coastal region is under red alert due to temperatures around 35 ºC, while Montenegro faces a high risk of forest fires and Serbia grapples with severe drought affecting most of the country.
The UK was also affected by the heatwave during the first day of Wimbledon. British authorities issued an orange alert in five English regions, including London.
