European countries are currently experiencing a heatwave, with the potential to break June temperature records. Several countries have issued red heat alerts. Certain regions in France have banned alcohol consumption; Spain has closed a football fan zone with a giant screen for watching World Cup matches, and the UK has issued warnings of “tropical nights.”
The summer solstice in the northern hemisphere fell on June 21, marking the beginning of the hottest three months in Europe. Meteorologists attribute the current heatwave sweeping across Europe to a hot air mass moving north from the Sahara Desert, combined with a powerful high-pressure system called the “African anticyclone.”
This high-pressure system has created a so-called “heat dome,” trapping hot air over Western and Central Europe, leading to a daily rise in temperatures.
35 out of 96 mainland provinces in France have issued red heat alerts. Temperatures are expected to reach 39-40 degrees Celsius (102-104 degrees Fahrenheit) from the southwest through Paris to Burgundy, with some areas possibly reaching 41 degrees Celsius.
Following a crisis meeting, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ordered the 35 provinces to prohibit alcohol consumption during the annual Fete de la Musique held on June 21 and other public events. The Louvre Palace in Paris canceled a free concert scheduled under the glass pyramid.
On Monday (June 22), the red alert area will expand to include 49 provinces in mainland France.
The French national railway company, SNCF, has canceled 71 intercity trains on major routes from Sunday to Monday.
Most parts of Germany have issued heat warnings, with temperatures approaching 38 degrees Celsius. The German Meteorological Service has warned that the hot and humid weather could lead to severe thunderstorms.
Due to severe thunderstorm weather, the Berlin Tennis Open final on Sunday was briefly interrupted, with organizers evacuating all personnel from the venue. After a six-hour delay, the match eventually resumed.
Throughout the weekend, temperatures in the German capital, Berlin, exceeded 30 degrees Celsius, with heavy rain sweeping through most parts of the city on Sunday.
David Dehenauw, the weather forecast manager at Belgium’s IRM meteorological institute, has warned that temperatures in Belgium surpassed 30 degrees Celsius on Sunday and are expected to reach “historically high temperatures” next week.
Belgium’s national railway company, SNCB, announced the cancellation of some trains during peak hours on Monday and Tuesday to reduce the risk of railway line disruptions due to train malfunctions.
Spain has declared its first official heatwave of the year, lasting from Sunday to Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach 44 degrees Celsius in some areas.
The Spanish Football Federation decided to close the fan zone in Madrid’s Columbus Square, equipped with a giant screen, meaning fans will have to find alternative places to watch the World Cup match between Spain and Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Italy has been experiencing temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius for several consecutive days, leading authorities to issue red alerts on Sunday for eight cities including Milan, Florence, Bologna, and Turin.
Outside the Colosseum in Rome, tourists braved long queues under the scorching sun. The summer heat in Rome has become a test of endurance for sightseers.
The UK’s Meteorological Office has issued a new “extreme heat” weather warning, with temperatures in Britain expected to reach up to 38 degrees Celsius next week.
The Met Office also stated that nighttime temperatures will be exceptionally high, with the southern regions of England experiencing widespread “tropical nights,” with temperatures not dropping below 20 degrees Celsius.
(This article is based on reports from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.)