Relief is on the way for Europe after several days of record-breaking heat, as cooler temperatures and thunderstorms are expected to arrive from the Atlantic on Wednesday, forecasters said.
Paris sizzled at 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, but temperatures are set to drop to 35°C on Wednesday and further to 28°C by Thursday, according to Météo-France. Thunderstorms are expected to sweep across the northwest of France and move east toward the German border.
In Germany, Frankfurt is forecast to reach a peak of 40°C on Wednesday, before cooling to 27°C on Thursday, the national weather service said. Spain and Italy, however, may have to endure the extreme heat until the weekend.
The intense heat forced the closure of around 2,200 schools across France on Tuesday, but only about 135 will remain closed on Wednesday, authorities said.
Météo-France confirmed that June 30 marked the hottest June day in France since records began in 1947, surpassing the previous record set in 2019. Similar temperature records were reported Tuesday in Portugal and the Netherlands.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts said this June will likely rank among the five hottest on record for the continent.
Over the weekend, the Mediterranean Sea reached record-high temperatures for June, while Europe’s tallest peak, Mont Blanc, briefly rose above freezing — an unusual occurrence for this time of year.
In Turkey, officials said forest fires near Izmir and Hatay were largely contained, though hot, dry winds remain a risk.
Authorities across Europe have issued health warnings, especially for children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions. Past heatwaves have claimed tens of thousands of lives in Europe.
In Spain, police reported the tragic death of a two-year-old child who was left in a parked car under the sun for several hours.
"Extreme heat is becoming more frequent and intense due to human-induced climate change," said Clare Nullis, spokesperson for the World Meteorological Organization. "This is something we must learn to live with."
Cities across Europe have implemented measures to protect residents, including offering free access to air-conditioned museums in Venice and swimming pools in Rome.
A report by Allianz Trade on Tuesday warned that the heatwave could cost the European economy up to 0.5 percentage points in growth this year. French health authorities said initial estimates of heat-related fatalities will be available about two weeks after the end of the heatwave, with full data expected in the fall.
