Europe's June heatwave triggers health alerts, event cancellations across continent

France banned alcohol consumption in public areas under red alert, Spain and Germany cancelled or postponed sports events, and Britain warned of 'tropical nights' as Europe experienced a June heatwave that may break temperature records.

Less than a month after a May heatwave that set records in several European countries, the continent is facing another period of extreme weather, with temperatures expected to rise further in the coming days.

Scientists have noted that recurring heatwaves are a marker of global warming, primarily caused by burning fossil fuels, and warn they are likely to become more frequent, longer, and more intense.

France

France proceeded with its annual street music festival, the Fete de la Musique, despite the heat. However, the Louvre Museum in Paris cancelled a free concert under its glass pyramid. The government banned alcohol consumption in public places in departments under red alert for health and public order reasons.

Temperatures in some parts of the country exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, with 42.2 degrees recorded in Pissos in the southwest Landes region. Authorities placed a record 35 departments—roughly a third of the country—on red alert. That number is expected to rise to 49 of France's 96 mainland departments on Monday, according to the national weather service.

In Paris, city officials permitted swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin to allow residents to cool off.

Germany

Organisers suspended the final of the Berlin Open tennis tournament and evacuated the venue due to severe thunderstorms. The match resumed six hours later. Temperatures in Berlin exceeded 30 degrees Celsius over the weekend, with storms sweeping across much of the region on Sunday.

Belgium

Temperatures in Belgium, which passed 30 degrees on Sunday, are expected to be 'the hottest ever recorded' next week, according to David Dehenauw, head of forecasting at the IRM meteorological institute. The national rail company SNCB cancelled some rush-hour trains for Monday and Tuesday to reduce the risk of breakdowns blocking tracks.

Spain

In Spain, the public screening in Madrid of the national football team's World Cup match against Saudi Arabia was cancelled due to forecast extreme heat. Spain declared its first official heatwave of the year from Sunday through Wednesday, with temperatures forecast to reach 44 degrees Celsius in some areas.

In Spain and neighbouring Portugal, people gathered at beaches in large numbers, used hand-held fans, or carried umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun as the weekend brought scorching heat.

Switzerland

The Swiss weather service warned of a 'strong heatwave' with temperatures up to 37 degrees Celsius, issuing alerts in lower-altitude regions. It said it was unclear when the heatwave would end.

Balkans

Orange weather alerts for high temperatures were predicted for parts of Croatia and Serbia in the coming days, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius. Croatian authorities issued health recommendations for coping with extreme heat, while North Macedonia, Bosnia, and Montenegro also prepared for extreme temperatures.

Britain

Britain's weather service issued amber warnings for extreme heat from Monday to Thursday, with temperatures expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius in England and Wales. Overnight temperatures are also expected to be very high, with 'tropical nights' where the temperature does not drop below 20 degrees Celsius across southern parts of England, the Met Office said.

Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said this week will bring 'an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures likely to reach 38-39°C', surpassing the June temperature record of 35.6°C. She warned that this could lead to two consecutive heatwaves, placing strain on health services and infrastructure.