Southern Europe is sweltering under its first major heatwave of the summer, with soaring temperatures prompting emergency measures across the region.
Southern France is already feeling the burn, with temperatures in Marseille nudging 40°C as the first heatwave of the northern hemisphere summer sweeps across southern Europe.
In response, local authorities in the Mediterranean port city have thrown open the doors to public swimming pools, offering free access to help residents cool off.
Elsewhere across the country, schools on the sun-drenched French Riviera have received nearly 250 electric fans in the past fortnight, with Nice also grappling with the early onset of summer heat.
This weekend marks the start of what forecasters say will be an intensifying heatwave across southern Europe, fuelled by climate change and already sending thermometers surging well into the red on what scientists call the world’s fastest-warming continent.
According to Météo France on X, temperatures will exceed 35°C across the southern two-thirds of the country on Monday.
By Tuesday, 38 to 40°C are expected in many regions, including Île-de-France.
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Southern Europe swelters
Rome is expected to hit 37°C, sending throngs of tourists and pilgrims scurrying to the Eternal City’s 2,500 public fountains in search of a splash of relief.
Further south, Sicily and Naples are set for highs of 39°C, prompting the regional government to ban outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day – a move echoed by Liguria in the north.
Italian trade unions are now calling for the measure to be rolled out nationwide.
Over in Portugal, two-thirds of the country will be on high alert by Sunday, with Lisbon forecast to swelter at 42°C.
Spain, too, is bracing for extreme heat, particularly across the Guadalquivir, Guadiana, and Tagus river valleys, where similar scorching highs are expected.
The Spanish meteorological agency has warned that the country – which has endured a series of deadly wildfires in recent summers – is set for another punishing spell.
Venice, hosting Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos’s wedding on Friday, was no escape either.
Locals and guests alike baked under the Italian sun, with tourists describing sticky nights and relentless humidity.
“There’s no wind, the air’s heavy with moisture, and I can’t breathe at night,” said Alejandra Echeverria, a tourist from Mexico told AFP.
“I try not to think about it, but I drink lots of water and keep moving – if you stop, you risk heatstroke,” added Sriane Mina, an Italian student.
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Global warming to blame
Scientists have long warned that burning fossil fuels is accelerating global warming, with increasingly fierce summer heatwaves across Europe a direct consequence.
This summer is already on track to be one of the hottest, following a year of broken climate records.
The EU’s Copernicus climate service reported Europe’s hottest March on record earlier this year, and 2024 could end up being the hottest year globally to date.
The toll is not just environmental – some estimates suggest weather-related disasters cost the world over $300 billion last year.
(With AFP)
