Europe is experiencing an unusual heat wave, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius prompting declarations of high weather threat in Italy, France, Spain, and other nations. While labor unions are demanding a temporary ban on outdoor work, authorities have closed schools and recommended that locals stay indoors throughout the day. In the meantime, Greece and Turkey are experiencing bushfires.
In June, the temperature in the Huelva region of Spain hit a record-breaking 46 degrees Celsius. Widespread forest fires and comparable temperatures were noted in Portugal, Greece, Italy, and the Western Balkans. A January 2025 study found that the impacts of heat kill about 175 thousand individuals in the WHO European Region per year.
Temperatures have also risen to critical levels in Portugal, where two-thirds of the country is under high alert. Temperatures in Lisbon are predicted to rise over 42 degrees Celsius. In order to lower the risk of fires and safeguard the public's health, officials have declared limitations on outdoor activities during the hottest hours.
Extreme weather conditions have also impacted Italy. To lower the danger of heatstroke and other heat-related problems, outdoor employment has been prohibited during peak hours in the regions of Lazio, Tuscany, Calabria, Puglia, and Umbria. Rome, Milan, Naples, and 21 of the 27 main cities have recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.
Greece is still dealing with natural calamities, as evidenced by the massive forest fires that have already occurred there in recent weeks. As a reminder, a large fire that started south of Athens forced the evacuation of dozens of people from the island of Chios, where it burned for three days. To tackle the fire, the authorities sent out 130 firefighters, 12 helicopters, and 12 airplanes. They also evacuated 40 people from high-risk regions where the fire could spread.
Belgium has triggered the warning phase for its high heat and ozone peaks strategy as temperatures continue to rise this week. Forecasts from the Belgian Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) indicate that temperatures will rise over 25°C during the next few days, with many locations in the nation seeing temperatures as high as 34°C on Saturday.
To safeguard the safety of citizens, particularly vulnerable groups like the elderly and children, local authorities and trade unions are calling for the expansion of restrictions and the implementation of additional measures. Mobile teams have been organized to help individuals in need, and cooling and water distribution centers have already been established in several areas. Due to the risk of forest fires, Italy and Slovenia, neighboring countries, have issued a state of emergency.
