By ABP Live News
Europe is in the grip of an unprecedented heatwave, with Spain and England registering their hottest June temperatures in recorded history. The extreme weather has set off alarms across the continent, from wildfires in Turkey to red alerts in France.
Heatwave in Spain and England
Spain鈥檚 national weather agency, Aemet, reported an average June temperature of 23.6掳C (74.5掳F)鈥攁 level usually associated with peak summer months like July or August. The agency stated that the month “has pulverised records.” Meanwhile, England saw its mean June temperature rise to 16.9掳C, the highest ever recorded for the month. For the UK as a whole, it marked the second warmest June since temperature tracking began in 1884.
Portugal also saw extreme heat, with mainland temperatures hitting 46.6鈥癈, the highest ever recorded in June. Although its full monthly average isn鈥檛 yet available, the intensity of the heatwave is unmistakable.
The extreme heat triggered wildfires in Turkey, forcing over 50,000 residents鈥攎ostly in the Izmir region鈥攖o evacuate. Officials responded to 263 wildfires across the country in just three days.
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Italy reported severe consequences: two heat-related deaths and a 20% spike in hospital admissions in Tuscany. Government advisories urged people to avoid outdoor activities in regions like Lombardy, Emilia鈥慠omagna, and Florence, which recorded nearly 39鈥癈. Outdoor work bans were imposed during peak midday hours.
Paris issued a red alert for the first time in five years, leading to the closure of the Eiffel Tower鈥檚 summit. Temperatures in Paris reached 37.6鈥癈 at Orly airport. Night-time lows of 28鈥癈 in Seville and 27鈥癈 in Barcelona demonstrate how the heat is disrupting both day and night. London saw record highs of 34.7鈥癈 in St. James鈥檚 Park, with Wimbledon opening at a record 32.9鈥癈.
Environmental Pressures and Climate Call
The Rhine River in Germany dropped to low water levels due to the heat, disrupting shipping. Elevated temperatures in the Adriatic fostered invasive lionfish and hastened glacier retreat. UN human rights chief Volker T眉rk warned the heatwave demonstrates 鈥渢he need for climate adaptation,鈥 underscoring that 鈥渞ising temperatures… threaten our rights to life, to health, to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.鈥
Climate scientists say that human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are driving more frequent and severe heatwaves. Professor Richard Allan likened the current trend to a 鈥渨armer, thirstier atmosphere鈥 intensifying heat events.