A heatwave continues to grip large parts of Europe, with authorities in many countries issuing health warnings amid searing temperatures. Southern Spain is the worst-affected region, with temperatures in the mid-40s Celsius recorded in Seville and neighbouring areas. A new heat record for June of 46C was set on Saturday in the town of El Granado, according to Spain's national weather service, which also said this month is on track to be the hottest June on record. Red heat warnings are in force in parts of Portugal, Italy and Croatia, with numerous amber warnings covering areas of Spain, France, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia and Switzerland. In Barcelona, a woman died after completing a shift as a road sweeper on Saturday, when temperatures were very high. Local authorities are investigating her death. In Italy, emergency departments across the country have reported an uptick in heatstroke cases, mainly affecting "elderly people, cancer patients, or homeless people", Mario Guarino, vice president of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine told the AFP news agency. Hospitals such as the Ospedale dei Colli in Naples have set up dedicated heatstroke pathways to speed up access to vital treatments such as cold water immersion. The city of Bologna further to the north has set up seven climate shelters with air conditioning and drinking water, while Rome has offered free access to city swimming pools for those over 70. A pharmacist in Portugal's capital Lisbon told Reuters news agency that, despite telling people "not to go out" during the hottest hours of the day, "we have already had some cases of heat strokes and burns". The severe heat has also affected countries across the western Balkans where temperatures have reached in excess of 40C. Serbia registered its highest-ever temperature since it began recording them in the 19th century. In Slovenia, the hottest-ever June temperature was recorded on Saturday. North Macedonia is also sweltering as temperatures reached 42C on Friday. Some areas will continue to get hotter until the middle of the week, with temperatures rising across France, Germany, Italy and the UK over the next few days. Yellow and amber alerts are in place for parts of England this weekend, and temperatures in London may reach 35C on Monday. The heat has been building under a big area of high pressure, with dry air descending and warming. As that process has continued over a number of days, temperatures have climbed. The area of high pressure will move eastwards over the next few days – taking the high temperatures northwards and eastwards with it. While it is hard to link individual extreme weather events to climate change, heatwaves are becoming more common and more intense due to climate change. Scientists at World Weather Attribution, who analyse the influence of climate change on extreme weather events, say June heatwaves with three consecutive days above 28C are about 10 times more likely to occur now compared to pre-industrial times. Additional reporting by BBC Weather, Guy DeLauney and Guy Hedgecoe
Spain records temperature of 46C as Europe heatwave continues
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"Europe Endures Extreme Heatwave with Record Temperatures in Spain"
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TruthLens AI Summary
A severe heatwave is currently impacting large regions of Europe, with Spain experiencing the most extreme conditions. Southern Spain, particularly Seville and its surrounding areas, has recorded temperatures soaring into the mid-40s Celsius. Notably, the town of El Granado reached a staggering 46C, marking a new heat record for June, as reported by Spain's national weather service. This month is projected to be the hottest June on record, prompting health authorities across Europe to issue warnings. Red heat alerts are in place in several countries, including Portugal, Italy, and Croatia, while amber warnings extend to numerous regions in Spain, France, Austria, and beyond. Tragically, the heat has already claimed lives, with a woman in Barcelona dying after a long work shift, prompting local investigations into her death in the context of extreme temperatures.
The heatwave's effects are being felt across the continent, with emergency services in Italy noting a rise in heatstroke cases, primarily among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and the homeless. Hospitals have initiated specialized pathways for treating heat-related illnesses, and cities like Bologna and Rome have established climate shelters and offered free access to swimming facilities for seniors. In Portugal, health professionals are warning against outdoor activities during peak heat hours, yet reports of heat-related health issues persist. The western Balkans are also grappling with the heat, with record temperatures being recorded in Serbia and Slovenia. Forecasters predict that temperatures will continue to rise over the coming days across France, Germany, and the UK, as a high-pressure system moves eastward, shifting the intense heat along with it. While linking individual weather events to climate change remains complex, scientists indicate that the frequency and intensity of heatwaves are increasing, suggesting a significant correlation with climate change factors.
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