Heat wave and thunderstorms disrupt travel and events across Europe

A mass of hot air moving north from the Sahara, intensified by a strong high-pressure system known as the African anticyclone, has created a heat dome over Western and Central Europe. Meteorologists say temperatures are expected to reach 39 °C in several countries during the week following the summer solstice.

In France, about one-third of the territory was placed on a red heat alert. The French rail operator cancelled 71 intercity trains and deployed thousands of staff to monitor and repair the network, warning vulnerable passengers to postpone travel. Public alcohol consumption was prohibited in the affected departments, and a free concert at the Louvre was cancelled.

Germany’s weather service forecast highs of up to 37 °C on Monday and Tuesday, rising to 39 °C by Wednesday, and warned of severe thunderstorms. Heavy rain and strong winds forced the evacuation of the Berlin Open tennis tournament, suspending the women’s singles final. The German Life-Saving Association advised swimmers not to underestimate the risk of drowning in rivers and lakes after several incidents over the weekend.

Italy issued a red alert for eight cities, including Milan and Turin, after several days of temperatures above 35 °C. Spain’s meteorological agency released red and orange alerts for multiple regions, expecting temperatures of 39-40 °C across much of the Iberian Peninsula and Mallorca, and cancelled a public screening of a World Cup match in Madrid.

The World Health Organization’s Europe office notes that heat-related illnesses have caused more than 200,000 deaths on the continent over the past four years.