ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A significant heat wave swept across much of Europe on Monday, coinciding with the record-hot first day of play at the Wimbledon tennis tournament and fierce winds that exacerbated forest fires in Turkey. The extreme temperatures prompted heat warnings across various countries, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and the U.K., with expectations for record highs on Wednesday before rain is anticipated to provide some respite.
In a tweet from Seville, Spain, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres noted, “Extreme heat is no longer a rare event — it has become the new normal.” He emphasized the urgent need for action against climate change, asserting that “the planet is getting hotter & more dangerous,” as temperatures soared to 42 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit).
In Portugal, authorities issued red heat warnings for seven out of 18 districts, anticipating temperatures could reach up to 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit). Similarly, Spain's national weather service reported that no relief from the ongoing heat wave is predicted until Thursday. The national average temperature recorded on Sunday was 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit), marking the highest temperature for June 29 since records began in 1950.
France is experiencing challenges as well, where air conditioning is relatively uncommon. In response, the authorities took additional measures to ensure the care of vulnerable populations, including the homeless and elderly. Misting stations were set up along the River Seine in Paris to help cool passers-by. The southern region of Aude reported its first significant forest fires of the season, with flames consuming 400 hectares (988 acres) of woodland. A response team, including water-dumping planes and approximately 300 firefighters, was deployed to fight the fires.
In Turkey, forest fires led to the temporary closure of Izmir airport, according to Anadolu Agency. As a precaution, authorities evacuated four villages. Firefighters were actively engaged in battling a blaze that erupted on Monday near residential areas in Hatay province, close to the Syrian border, which resulted in the evacuation of about 1,500 residents.
Italy's Health Ministry announced that 21 cities were placed under a “red” alert due to emergency conditions, which may adversely impact healthy and active individuals. Regional governments in Liguria and southern Sicily imposed restrictions on outdoor work. Heavy rains in some northern regions caused flooding, with parts of Bardonecchia near Turin being covered in sludge after the Frejus river overflowed its banks. Tragically, RAI state television reported that one person lost their life due to the flooding.
In the U.K., the national weather service indicated that the Wimbledon tournament could start with record temperatures, nearing 30 degrees Celsius (85 degrees Fahrenheit). Under the tournament's rules, players are permitted a 10-minute break when temperatures exceed 30.1 degrees Celsius during matches. In southern Germany, forecasts predicted temperatures as high as 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, encouraging some towns and regions to restrict water extraction from rivers and lakes. The Berlin zoo took special precautions by showering elephants and providing bears with blocks of ice filled with fruit to help them cope with the heat.
Throughout Europe, the ongoing heat wave highlights the pressing challenge of climate change and its increasingly severe impacts on health, safety, and the environment. The situation calls for coordinated action at local and international levels to mitigate the effects of such extreme weather phenomena and protect those most vulnerable to these conditions.
