Europe's heatwave advances eastward; France activates highest health alert

France has activated its highest health alert as a heatwave shifts eastward across Europe. Western regions of the country are now preparing for large thunderstorms from Thursday afternoon, with gusts of up to 110 km/h expected on the Atlantic coast. The first day of the Garorock festival in the Lot-et-Garonne region has been cancelled, where temperatures may reach 42°C.

Data from the Copernicus climate service indicates that Europe is warming faster than the global average, leading to more frequent summer heatwaves and increased pressure on water supplies. In 2022, wildfires burnt over 1 million hectares across Europe, the highest recorded area, with Spain particularly affected.

In Spain, temperatures are set to peak at 38-39°C in some areas on Thursday, but a cooler Atlantic air mass is expected to arrive. Earlier this week, the highest June temperature on record was recorded in Spain, with 45.1°C in the southern town of Andújar on Monday.

Germany's DWD weather service reported that overnight temperatures in the southwestern town of Bad Bergzabern did not fall below 26.2°C on Wednesday night, matching a national heat record set in 2019. Large areas of the country are experiencing what the service described as 'heat stress'.

Luxembourg recorded its highest June temperature of 38.3°C in Wormeldingen on Wednesday. A red alert level for 'extreme thermal stress' has been extended in the grand duchy until Saturday night.

Germany's national train operator, Deutsche Bahn, is offering free ticket cancellations over the next few days for those who do not wish to travel because of the heat. Similarly, Czech Railways have advised passengers to consider postponing trips if not essential.

Temperatures across the Czech Republic were well into the 30s on Thursday, and the ČHMÚ Hydrometeorological Institute said the heat would intensify on Friday, with temperatures climbing up to 40°C at the weekend.

The United Kingdom's Met Office has extended its red extreme temperature warning until Friday evening for parts of London and south-eastern England.

In Italy, Florence's Uffizi museum has halted ticket sales until 28 June, allowing only those with prior bookings to enter. Museum management said its air conditioning system could not cope with the high flow of visitors and the extreme temperatures, which reached 32°C inside the museum on Wednesday. Italians have been experiencing high temperatures since the start of the week, with the peak expected on Monday, when 40°C is forecast in various northern regions. Night-time temperatures in those areas might not drop below 29°C.