Europe on alert: First heatwave of 2025 pushes temperatures to 42°C

The summer of 2025 has not officially begun, but the European continent has been rapidly swept by a scorching heat wave . Extreme heat from southern Europe has pushed the temperature to 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and many countries have entered a state of emergency and activated health, fire prevention and evacuation plans.

People are being advised to stay hydrated and keep out of the sun. Photograph: Alexandros Vlachos/EPA

🔥 Many countries in southern Europe sound high temperature alerts

In Spain , the national weather agency Aemet issued a special high temperature warning on Friday, pointing out that the temperature in many places in the south will reach or exceed 42 degrees Celsius in the next few days. The Madrid health department reminded citizens to avoid long periods of sun exposure, drink water in time, and pay special attention to the elderly, pregnant women and patients with chronic diseases.

Guardian graphic. Source: Ventusky.com

In Portugal , the temperature in the capital Lisbon will also reach 42°C, and about two-thirds of the country has entered a red alert state to deal with the risk of forest fires and heat stroke.

In France , firefighters have been deployed in advance to deal with forest fires that broke out in early summer. Of the country's 101 administrative regions, 84 are under high temperature warning from Monday to Wednesday. A wildfire broke out in the Corbières region of the southern Aude department, with temperatures reaching 40°C. Local camps and monasteries were evacuated urgently. In addition, the Marseille municipal government announced that public swimming pools would be open for free to help people escape the heat and cool down.

Italy and Greece: Outdoor activities are restricted and tourist cities sound the alarm

In Italy, cities including Naples and Palermo are expected to reach 39 degrees Celsius. Sicily and Liguria have banned outdoor work from midday to the afternoon. Trade unions are calling for the ban to be extended to the whole country.

In Venice , guests, citizens and protesters were all suffering from the scorching heat during the lavish wedding celebrations of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Greece was also hit by both high temperatures and wildfires. Wildfires broke out in the south of the capital Athens, forcing some coastal roads on the tourist resort island of Sounion to close. A fire also broke out in Izmir Province, Turkey , and five neighborhoods were evacuated. Wind speeds reached 75 kilometers per hour, forcing firefighting helicopters to stop flying, leaving only two water-spraying aircraft and ground crews to fight the fire.

Relaxing Moment

🌡️ Extreme weather has become the "new normal"

According to data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Monitoring Center , March this year has set a record for the hottest month in European history. Scientists warn that due to the intensifying trend of climate warming, disasters such as extreme heat, wildfires, and droughts are rapidly becoming normalized and more severe .

2024 has been confirmed to be the hottest year in meteorological records , causing global disaster economic losses of more than $300 billion . According to a study published by the authoritative journal The Lancet, by the end of this century, if the global temperature rises by 3°C, the number of deaths caused by heat in Europe will reach 129,000 per year . Currently, the number has reached 44,000 .

What is even more worrying is that even if global warming is controlled within 1.5℃, the number of cold and heat-related deaths in Europe may rise from the current 407,000 to 450,000 per year .

🧊 What can we do in the face of extreme heat?

Whether you are a local or traveling in Europe, these tips for dealing with hot weather are important:

• 🧴Replenish water regularly : Even if you are not thirsty, drink water every 30-60 minutes.

• ☀️Avoid midday sun exposure : Minimize outdoor activities between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

• 🏠Shading and cooling : Close blinds or draw curtains to prevent indoor temperature from rising.

• 💧Cooling down with cold compresses : Take a cold shower, apply a wet towel to your body, or go to a public summer resort.

• 👵Care for vulnerable groups : Take the initiative to look after the elderly, infants, young children, patients and other people who are prone to heatstroke.

• 🚗Never leave children or pets alone in the car .

🔄 Conclusion: The climate crisis is no longer a “thing for the future”

This heat wave is not an isolated incident, but a direct manifestation of global climate imbalance . Whether in Madrid, Marseille or Mykonos, this extreme high temperature is a severe wake-up call.

The challenges brought by global warming are already upon us. National policies and individual actions need to respond quickly to adapt to or even reverse the arrival of the "heat wave era".

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