Record temperatures grip Europe as heat alerts expand, wildfires spread and authorities warn of growing risks.
France is preparing for another day of extreme temperatures as a powerful heatwave tightens its grip on Europe, prompting widespread weather alerts, power disruptions and wildfire concerns across several countries.
More than half of France remains under the highest-level red heat warning after the country recorded its hottest June day on record on Tuesday, with average temperatures reaching 29.8°C. Forecasters warned that conditions would remain dangerous through the week, with some areas expected to experience temperatures as high as 43°C.
French authorities have expanded red heat alerts to 58 regions, while dozens of other areas remain under orange warnings. In the southwest city of La Rochelle, temperatures had already reached 29°C before sunrise on Wednesday, underscoring the intensity of the heatwave.
The soaring temperatures have already caused significant disruption. Around 68,000 homes in the Brittany region were left without electricity following a transformer failure linked to the extreme weather, while firefighters battled a major forest fire in the Maine-et-Loire region that was eventually brought under control overnight.
The impact is also being felt in Paris, where the Louvre Museum announced earlier closing times for visitors, citing concerns that its historic buildings are increasingly vulnerable to prolonged periods of extreme heat.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou said 40 people have drowned in heatwave-related incidents since last week, highlighting the growing public safety risks associated with the severe weather.
The heatwave is now spreading across western and central Europe. Authorities in the Netherlands have issued orange weather warnings as temperatures are forecast to approach 39°C later this week. Belgium has activated the alert phase of its national heat plan for only the second time since its introduction, while Germany could see temperatures climb to 40°C over the weekend.
Eastern Europe is also preparing for dangerous conditions, with severe heat warnings issued in countries including Poland, Croatia and Hungary.
While Spain is expected to see some relief from the worst temperatures, red alerts remain in place across parts of the country, where temperatures could still reach 42°C. In Italy, the number of cities under red heat alerts continues to rise as authorities urge residents to take precautions.
Scientists say the latest heatwave reflects a broader warming trend across Europe, which is heating up faster than any other continent. Climate experts warn that rising global temperatures are increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, worsening drought conditions and creating greater risks of wildfires and pressure on water supplies.
Although some cooling is expected in France from Friday, meteorologists say the change could bring thunderstorms, flash floods and large hail, creating a fresh set of weather-related challenges across the region.