Europe Braces for Intensifying Heatwave; France Records 3 Deaths, Spain 44C Forecast
Europe is bracing for an intensifying heatwave, prompting special measures. France reported three heat-related deaths, closed schools, and restricted alcohol sales. Spain expects 44C, while Belgium anticipates record temperatures, with experts linking the extreme heat to climate change.
Much of Europe is preparing for an intensifying heatwave in the coming days, with some countries implementing special measures. France recorded heat-related deaths over the weekend, leading officials to close 845 schools, reduce rail services, and ban alcohol sales in public places in red alert departments.
49 of France’s 96 mainland departments are on red alert, up from 35. Temperatures in parts of France exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, extreme for June. In the southwest Gironde region, three people aged 80 to 95 died, partly due to the intense heat. Forecasters suggest this heatwave could be as severe as the August 2003 event that caused nearly 15,000 deaths in France.
Spain’s weather service Aemet warned of «extremely high» temperatures, day and night, until Wednesday, with some areas forecast to reach 44C. Madrid canceled a public screening of a World Cup match due to the heat. Belgium’s national rail company SNCB canceled some rush hour trains for Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures expected to be the hottest ever recorded. Researchers attribute the record-breaking heatwave to human-driven climate change. Britain expects June heat records to be «annihilated,» with temperatures likely reaching 38-39 degrees Celsius, surpassing the current June record of 35.6 degrees Celsius.