Europe Braces for First Major Heatwave of Summer Amid Rising Climate Concerns

Millions across Europe are sweltering under the continent’s first major heatwave of the northern hemisphere summer, as climate experts warn that record-breaking temperatures are becoming the new normal due to climate change.

In Italy, thermometers are set to soar to 37°C (99°F) in Rome, sending tourists and Catholic pilgrims crowding the city’s 2,500 public fountains in search of relief. The southern city of Naples and Palermo in Sicily are forecast to hit 39°C (102°F), prompting local authorities to ban outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day. The Liguria region in northern Italy has adopted similar measures, and trade unions are calling for a national expansion of the restriction to protect workers.

France’s second-largest city, Marseille, is also under extreme heat warning with temperatures expected to approach 40°C (104°F). In response, local authorities have made public swimming pools free to help residents cope with the Mediterranean heat.

Meanwhile, Portugal is preparing for dangerous conditions, with two-thirds of the country placed on high alert for extreme temperatures and wildfires. Lisbon is expected to reach a scorching 42°C (108°F) on Sunday. In Spain, forecasts predict temperatures above 40°C (104°F) across much of the country, raising fears of wildfires similar to those that devastated the region in previous summers.

In Venice, where billionaire Jeff Bezos’ wedding drew both celebrities and climate protesters on Friday, guests and demonstrators alike endured the heat. “I try not to think about it, but I drink a lot of water and never stay still, because that’s when you get sunstroke,” said Sriane Mina, an Italian student, speaking to AFPTV.

Scientists attribute the intensity and frequency of such heatwaves to climate change. Europe, identified as the world’s fastest-warming continent, has experienced a string of extreme weather events this year, including the hottest March on record, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.

“This is no longer unusual—it’s the new normal,” climate scientists have warned, linking the spike in global temperatures directly to humanity’s continued reliance on fossil fuels.

So far, 2024 has been labelled the hottest year in recorded history, with global weather-related disasters estimated to have caused more than $300 billion in damage.

As Europe bakes under rising temperatures, the urgency of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies continues to grow, with governments under increasing pressure to protect both people and infrastructure from the mounting toll of extreme weather.