The heatwave gripping parts of Europe has moved eastwards, with France raising its health alert to the highest level as temperatures are forecast to exceed 40C in several regions. The UK, meanwhile, has received praise for its preparedness measures after a relatively mild spell passed without major incident.
Météo-France has activated its red alert for four departments in the south-east, including the Drôme and Ardèche, as the intense heat pushes towards the Alps and the Mediterranean coast. The country’s health ministry warned of “very high health risks” for vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. Paris remains on orange alert, with the city activating its cooling centres and extending park opening hours.
In the UK, the Met Office’s heat-health warning has been downgraded to yellow after temperatures peaked in the low 30s earlier this week. The NHS reported no significant spike in heat-related admissions, while the Environment Agency said river levels remained within normal bounds. International observers have noted the UK’s early investment in heatwave planning, including the 2023 Heatwave Resilience Review, as a factor in its relatively smooth handling of the event.
The situation in continental Europe remains more concerning. Italy has issued red alerts for 14 cities, including Rome and Florence, with temperatures expected to reach 42C in Sardinia. Spain’s state weather agency AEMET has warned of an “extreme risk” of wildfires in central and southern regions, where tinder-dry conditions have persisted since June. The European Forest Fire Information System has logged over 200 fires in the past 72 hours, with the largest blazes in Greece and Portugal.
Across the Channel, French authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities and check on neighbours. The nation’s electricity grid operator RTE reported record demand for air conditioning, straining supplies in the south. Emergency services have been placed on standby, and water restrictions are in force in 32 departments.
The shift eastwards of the heat dome is a reminder of the changing meteorological patterns in Europe. Climatologists at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts attribute the intensity and duration of these heatwaves to a stationary high-pressure system linked to altered jet stream behaviour. The UK’s own resilience planning, now a template for other nations, appears to have mitigated what could have been a more serious crisis. Yet the continent’s collective vulnerability remains exposed, particularly in southern Europe where infrastructure is less adapted to extremes of heat.
As the heatwave continues its eastward progression, attention will turn to the Balkans and Eastern Europe, where temperatures are forecast to exceed 35C in the coming days. Hospitals in Hungary and Romania have been put on alert. The UK’s relative calm may offer lessons, but it also underscores the disparity in preparedness that defines this summer’s unfolding crisis.
