Germany’s southern regions could see the mercury hit 35°C this week – Image: Michaela Stache/AFP/Getty Images
Temperatures soared past 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) across parts of Europe over the weekend, as an early-summer heat wave tightened its grip on the continent.
In Spain, temperatures hit 46°C (114.8°F) on Sunday in the town of El Granado, near the Portuguese border, setting a new national heat record for the month of June.
The previous June high of 45.2°C (113.4°F) was set in Seville in 1965.
Temperatures above 40°C were also expected in neighboring Portugal, with the capital, Lisbon, under a “red warning” for heat until Monday night due to “persistently extremely high maximum temperature values,” according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere.
Experts advise limiting outdoor activity during peak heat, wearing light clothing, and drinking enough water – Image: Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse/ZUMA/picture alliance
Extreme heat to reach London
In Italy, 21 cities, including Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence and Rome, were placed on high alert as extreme heat swept across the country.
Local authorities in Greece also issued fresh warnings about the risk of wildfires.
Hot weather is expected to persist into the start of the week, with London predicted to reach up to 35°C on Monday, marking the hottest day of the year so far.
Wimbledon is set for its hottest opening day on record Monday, possibly breaking the tournament’s all-time heat record.
The current opening day high is 29.3°C, set in 2001. The hottest day ever at Wimbledon was 35.7°C on July 1, 2015.
The German Weather Service on Sunday issued heat warnings for southern and western regions, with peaks of 39°C expected on Wednesday.
Alerts were in place for the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.
French firefighters were battling early summer wildfires with several parts of the country under orange alert.
Blazes in the Corbieres region forced evacuations as temperatures soared past 40°C, peaking at 40.9°C in Grospierres.
Parts of the A61 motorway were closed, and a campsite in Bizanet was evacuated after a barbecue with smoldering embers in a trailer caused several fires, according to local civil protection authorities.
In Spain, locals and tourists were desperately trying to keep cool – Image: Marcelo del Pozo/REUTERS
Birds impacted by heat
Meteorologists warn that heat waves are becoming more frequent and arriving earlier in the season due to human-driven climate change.
Spain’s state weather agency, AEMET, noted that only two June heat waves were recorded between 1975 and 2000. That number has surged to nine since 2000. This year, temperatures typical of August arrived by late May.
“Heat waves will become more frequent and more intense,” warned Emanuela Piervitali, a researcher at the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA).
“A further increase in temperature and heat extremes is expected in the future, so we will have to get used to temperatures with peaks even higher than those we are experiencing now.”
In France, experts warned the heat is taking a toll on biodiversity.
“Some nests reach over 40°C,” said Allain Bougrain-Dubourg of the League for the Protection of Birds, adding that their care centers are overwhelmed with struggling birds.
Staying cool is vital during a heat wave – Image: Ulises Ruiz/AFP
Heat exhaustion or heat stroke: What to do in an emergency
What is heat exhaustion?
A lot of sun or the extreme temperatures of heat waves can make your body overheat and lead to heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness, like heat rash, heat cramps or heat stroke. Although less severe than heat stroke, if not properly managed it can lead to the more serious variant.
A headache is usually the first sign of heat exhaustion. You are hot, your face is red, you sweat a lot, you move more slowly, and you’re likely to experience fatigue, nausea and vomiting. You might also feel dizzy or even faint.
What you might not expect: The skin of someone with heat exhaustion is usually not hot, but rather cool.
Heat exhaustion: What to do?
First of all, those suffering from heat exhaustion should immediately be taken out of the sun, to a cool place or into the shade, and drink water as quickly as possible. Cold, damp cloths can help cool the body.
In addition, someone with heat exhaustion should drink plenty of fluids to bring hydration levels back to normal. Cold water or sports drinks replenish lost salts, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. These can dehydrate you even more, on top of excessive sweating, which, according to experts, can cause additional fluid loss of up to 2 liters on very hot days.
Until the symptoms get better, you need to rest.
It’s important to know that in severe cases, severe vomiting, confusion or even unconsciousness can occur. If that happens, you should see a doctor, if only to rule out heat stroke.
What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke is more dangerous than heat exhaustion and may occur, for example, when you engage in physical activities in a hot environment or when heat exhaustion is not properly treated.
When it’s extremely hot outside, the body absorbs more heat than it can release. The body temperature can rise to 41°C (105.8°F) within 10 to 15 minutes. This acute overheating leads to an inflammatory response throughout the body.
The body’s temperature regulation system fails and sweat production, for example, stops. Sweating is how your body helps cool itself, so without it your body temperature starts rising.
Heat stroke is life-threatening. Symptoms include impaired consciousness, headache, dizziness and drowsiness; seizures, vomiting, diarrhea and low blood pressure may also occur. Heat stroke develops within one to six hours and can cause death in less than 24 hours unless properly treated.
In the elderly, chronically ill and children, heat stroke usually occurs because of a combination of high temperatures and severe fluid and electrolyte deficiencies. In healthy adults, too much physical activity in hot sunny weather, such as sports or working outdoors, is what usually causes heat stroke.
Heat stroke: What to do?
At the first signs of heat stroke, emergency services should be alerted immediately. The affected person should be taken out of the sun and heat and into a cool or shady place.
Their body should be cooled down as quickly as possible with cold water, ice baths or soaked clothes, and the affected person should be given fluids if possible. Excess clothing should be removed.
If unconscious but breathing normally, the person should be placed in a stable horizontal position until emergency personnel arrive. Regular breathing and consciousness must be checked regularly. If the person is not breathing normally, resuscitation efforts must be started.
Avoiding heat exhaustion and heat stroke
In extremely high temperatures, our body’s heat regulation system quickly reaches its limits. In addition, older people often drink too little water. As a result, the body cannot produce enough sweat, which makes it difficult for the body to cool down on its own.
In many cases, it’s then recommended and safest to call a doctor.
The best way to avoid heat exhaustion or even heat stroke is obvious: Don’t get too much sun and especially avoid it around midday; protect your head with a light-colored hat; avoid exposure to extreme heat if possible and drink plenty of fluids. As a rule of thumb, an adult needs at least half a liter of water extra on hot days. (DW.com/NAN 30-06-25)
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