Europe braces for prolonged heatwave as temperatures approach 40C
ROME/MADRID/PARIS, June 21 (Reuters) – Temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) gripped much of Europe on Sunday, prompting nationwide warnings, disruption of transport and signs of pressure on wildlife and tourist hotspots.
The temperature spike on June 21, the northern hemisphere summer solstice and the start of typically the hottest three months of the year, has raised concerns about an early and persistent onset of extreme conditions.
After temperatures rose above 35°C for several days, Italian authorities issued a red alert for June 21 in eight cities, including Bologna, Florence, Milan and Turin.
In Rome, the Pope led traditional Sunday prayers from the window of the Apostolic Palace, while pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square used umbrellas and parasols to protect themselves from the scorching sun.
The rise in temperatures is driven by a mass of warm air moving northward from the Sahara, fueled by a powerful high-pressure system known as the “African anticyclone”.
Meteorologists say that the system traps warm air over Western and Central Europe, creating a structure called a “heat dome” and allowing the temperature to increase day by day.
Madrid residents and tourists drank plenty of cold drinks while visiting the city’s famous El Rastro flea market.
“Because it’s so hot, I dress in all white and carry my little electric fan everywhere I go,” said Haily San Cesario, a 22-year-old engineer from Miami.
Spain’s AEMET weather agency issued red and orange alerts in several regions, warning that temperatures were exceeding 39 to 40 C in large parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Mallorca, and said the heat wave would last until at least midweek.
TRAINS WERE CANCELED IN FRANCE
Extreme heat started to affect the infrastructure.
Speaking from Gare Montparnasse station in Paris, SNCF chief Jean Castex said the rail network was “strongly affected” by high temperatures that risked damaging overhead power lines and widening tracks.
He said 3,500 staff had been mobilized to monitor the network and a further 2,000 staff would carry out emergency repairs. He urged vulnerable travelers to postpone travel. The operator canceled 71 intercity trains on major routes until Monday.
In Germany, where temperatures have already reached 38C, the DWD weather service warned of severe storms in eastern parts, including Berlin, where heavy rain disrupted the outdoor Fete de la Musique festival.
Organizers had to evacuate the Berlin Open venue due to heavy rain and strong winds as fans awaited the tennis tournament’s singles final between Jessica Pegula of the United States and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic.
HEAT STRESS IN PUPPIES
Wildlife rescuers also report increased pressure.
A center near the Belgian city of Namur said it had accepted approximately 150 animals stressed due to heat in recent days, and young birds were especially at risk.
“The cubs would rather jump than let themselves die and literally cook in their nests,” said CREAVES founder Romain De Jaegere, adding that centers in Belgium were overwhelmed.
Experts say the situation reflects a broader trend, with heatwaves in Europe becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
(Reporting by Giselda Vagnoni, Lewis Macdonald in Rome, Dominique Vidalon in Paris, Sergio Leon, Graham Keely in Madrid, Elena Rodriguez in Madrid, Rachel More in Berlin; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
