Scorching heat has settled over south-eastern Europe this week, prompting adverse weather warnings and putting power grids under strain.
A high-pressure system is bringing a flow of hot air from North Africa, where temperatures in Tunisia are forecast to reach 47 °C (117 °F) on Monday. There is a high risk of forest fires in southern Italy, with temperatures expected to reach 43 °C in Sicily. In 2021, the Italian island set the current European temperature record of 48.8 °C.
At the end of June, eastern and northern Europe were hit by extreme heat. Several countries issued health warnings, and climate monitoring services recorded abnormally high temperatures. According to Copernicus, June was the third hottest month in recorded history.
According to preliminary estimates by the Grantham Institute, between June 23 and July 2, the heat claimed the lives of about 2,300 people in 12 major European cities. Scientists believe that 1,500 of these deaths are directly linked to the climate crisis. Milan was particularly hard hit, with 317 of the 499 deaths linked to climate change. Paris, Barcelona and London followed. In the British capital, 273 cases were recorded, 171 of which were also linked to climate change.
The highest mortality rate was among the elderly: 88% of the victims of the heatwave were over 65 years old. In some regions of Italy, the number of hospitalisations in emergency departments increased by 15-20%, mainly due to dehydration in elderly patients. According to scientists, heat waves are often underestimated — most of the victims do not die on the streets, but at home or in hospitals.
Greece is also suffering from the heat. The Greek National Meteorological Service forecasts that temperatures on the mainland will rise to 43°C, and authorities have declared a high fire risk in Athens and the Attica region. Over the weekend, around 70 forest fires were reported across the country.
According to forecasts, temperatures in most European countries will continue to rise over the coming week. In Italy, the maximum temperature in July will reach +37°C with an average of around +31°C. In London, the abnormal heat will continue for another week, after which the temperature will drop to +24°. In Paris, the heat will subside by the end of the month, with an average temperature of +27°C expected. Researchers note that with global warming, periods of abnormal heat in Europe are becoming longer — in some countries, temperatures can rise to 32°C for five months of the year.
