Fresh heatwave threatens Europe amid severe drought

Europe is preparing for another scorching summer heatwave, following recent periods of extreme temperatures that have led to record low river levels, destructive forest fires, and thousands of deaths. British and French regions are already under extreme heat warnings, with forecasts predicting temperatures in the mid-30s Celsius. Unusual heat is expected in countries like Switzerland, Austria, and Hungary. The MeteoAlarm system reports that scorching temperatures are already being felt in much of Italy and coastal Croatia.

The UK's Met Office has warned of its fifth hot spell this summer, with infrastructure built for cooler climates facing the challenge. Half of England and all of Wales are officially in drought, leaving 23 million people subject to hosepipe bans. France's national weather agency predicts temperatures up to 35C in the southeast, spreading across the country. Both France and the UK have witnessed thousands of excess deaths during previous heatwaves.

Greece has already reported two fires this season near Athens, with over 10,000 hectares of pine forests affected. A fire in southwestern Spain has forced the evacuation of 800 people. Rivers across Europe are at record lows due to heat and drought, causing the Rhine in Germany to potentially become unnavigable. Poland's Vistula river, the country's longest, has reached its lowest level, leading to concerns about nuclear plant cooling.

Nearly 120 million Europeans live in regions where July 2026 was the hottest ever recorded. Over 12,000 excess deaths were reported across nine countries during a heatwave in June. A solar eclipse visible across parts of Europe is scheduled for Wednesday, despite the unfavorable weather. The European Space Agency's observatory in Teruel, Spain, will host activities related to the event.