Europe heatwave: more than 90mil set for temperatures above 35°C

Europe is rapidly warming and is ill-prepared for extreme heat, according to AFP calculations. Up to 92 million people across France, Italy, and Spain will experience temperatures exceeding 35°C on Wednesday, as determined by the calculations. This record-breaking heatwave is part of a historically hot summer marked by drought and wildfires, contributing to thousands of deaths.

Scientists attribute these extreme weather events to human-induced climate change. Forecasters predict that over half of Europe's population of 300 million will experience temperatures above 30°C on Wednesday, excluding Turkey. The most intense heat is expected in Western and Southern Europe, with France's 30 million residents, Italy's 29 million, and Spain's 21 million facing temperatures surpassing 35°C.

The heatwave will also affect the Balkans, particularly Greece and the Adriatic coast, including Albania and Croatia. In the United Kingdom, approximately 43 million people are expected to experience temperatures above 30°C, leading to the country's hottest summer on record, according to the Met Office. AFP's methodology involves comparing population density with weather forecasts from Germany's national meteorological service, but the model's 6.5km resolution may underestimate the impact in densely populated urban areas.