Europe faces extreme heat as red alerts spread across major countries
Europe heat wave alerts bring 40C+ temperatures, school closures and safety warnings See which countries are hit and why this record-breaking surge is raising concern
Several European countries are under red weather alerts as a new heat wave drives temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the region. The warnings cover Britain, France, Spain and Italy, with authorities urging people to limit exposure and adjust daily routines during the hottest part of the week.
In the U.K., the Met Office said temperatures could set a new June record, while France has ordered hundreds of schools to close as its weather agency described the event as prolonged and intense. Officials in France also reported 54 regional areas under red warning, and temperatures in Bordeaux reached 42 degrees Celsius.
The heat wave is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather affecting Europe, which scientists say is warming faster than any other continent. Researchers link the rising frequency and severity of such events to climate change and the continued use of fossil fuels.