Southern Europe Faces Record Heat Wave This Summer

Southern Europe is currently grappling with a severe heatwave that has brought record-breaking temperatures to countries such as France and Spain. National meteorological agencies and the European Copernicus program report significant rises in temperatures across both land and sea, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive climate action.

On Sunday, the Mediterranean Sea recorded an unprecedented average sea surface temperature for June, hitting 26.01 degrees Celsius. This alarming data underscores the escalating crises linked to climate change, with France's weather agency, Meteo-France, placing 84 departments on orange alert due to soaring temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in three-quarters of the country.

As the heatwave reached its zenith on July 1, forecasters predict maximum temperatures between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius, with isolated highs of up to 41 degrees. In response to the extreme conditions, 16 departments in France will be placed on red alert, signaling heightened risks associated with the ongoing heat.

Some respite is anticipated starting July 2, as temperatures are expected to drop significantly in regions adjacent to the English Channel and the Atlantic coast. However, the Mediterranean coast is likely to continue feeling the brunt of the heat for a more extended period.

To mitigate the impacts of this intense heat, several preventive measures have been enacted. Reports indicate that nuclear reactors have been temporarily shut down, schools across affected areas have closed, and working hours at construction sites have been modified to safeguard public health and safety.

Spain has also faced record high temperatures, with the town of El Granado in Huelva province reaching 46 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous June record of 45.2 degrees set in Seville back in 1965. Other regions of southern Spain recorded severe temperatures, including 44 degrees Celsius in Cordoba and 43.9 in near Seville, contributing to widespread thermal distress.

In Barcelona, the month of June saw a new record with temperatures of 37.3 degrees Celsius. Tragically, heat is believed to be a factor in the deaths of several individuals, including a municipal street cleaner who collapsed from heatstroke after her shift, underscoring the human cost of this climate crisis.

Portugal is also experiencing extreme weather, with inland Mora reporting an astonishing 46.6 degrees Celsius, breaking its own previous June record. Although some relief may be on the horizon, high temperatures are expected to persist across vast regions of Portugal, placing increasing pressure on the country’s resources and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Slovenia has declared June 2025 as its hottest, driest, and sunniest month on record since monitoring began in 1950. Average temperatures soared 3.5 degrees Celsius above normal, and reports indicate a significant decline in rainfall, particularly in Central Slovenia, leading experts to call for urgent adaptation measures.

With scientists warning that such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, there’s an escalating demand for policymakers across the region to accelerate adaptation and resilience strategies. As heatwaves grip Southern Europe, the pressing nature of the climate crisis becomes increasingly evident.