Europe is enduring a record-breaking heatwave this week, with at least 94 million people expected to face temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, predominantly in France and Spain. According to forecasts analyzed by the German weather service and population projections from Europe’s Joint Research Centre for 2025, more than 350 million people—over two-thirds of the continent’s population—will experience maximum temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius.

The extreme heat, which has surpassed temperatures typical of some parts of East and West Africa, has been intensified by urban infrastructure ill-equipped to handle such conditions. Meteorologists attribute the heatwave to atmospheric patterns trapping hot air over the region. A scientific study published this week concluded that human-induced climate change has significantly exacerbated the event, contributing to temperatures 2 to 4 degrees Celsius higher than would have otherwise occurred.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, emphasized the risks posed by the heat, including increased air pollution, urging government leaders to bolster the climate resilience of healthcare systems. Jim Skea, chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), noted that the current temperatures have exceeded some scientific projections and cautioned that Europe will inevitably encounter more frequent extreme heat events as the planet continues to warm.

In France, approximately 44 million people are under the highest heat alert level, known as the red alert, with the country recording its hottest day since 1947 on Wednesday. Meteorological agency Meteo-France reported the national temperature index, which averages daytime and nighttime readings from 30 stations, reached around 30 degrees Celsius, based on provisional data.

The United Kingdom also experienced record June heat, reaching 36.1 degrees Celsius in southern England on Wednesday and surpassing the previous record of 35.6 degrees Celsius set in 1976. Spain likewise set a new June heat record, with an average temperature of 28.17 degrees Celsius reported on Tuesday by the national weather agency Aemet.

Rising temperatures have severely affected daily life across Europe, prompting early closures of schools, offices, and factories, and pushing many employees to work from home. In London, 25-year-old decorator Aaron Timothy described the oppressive heat as making him “practically swimming in my own sweat.”

In Italy, 16 cities are currently under red alert. Greenpeace reported surface temperatures of up to 80 degrees Celsius in heavily paved areas near Rome’s Termini railway station. Despite restrictions aimed at protecting outdoor workers, many—especially self-employed delivery riders—continue to work under harsh conditions, citing economic necessity. Greenpeace campaigner Simona Abbate highlighted that the climate crisis disproportionately affects vulnerable populations who have no choice but to keep working.

The heatwave has also caused infrastructural challenges. Power outages were reported in France, including in the northwestern department of Finistere, where a late Tuesday transformer failure left around 68,000 households without electricity. In the UK, the electricity grid operator Neso warned that supply could become strained due to the surge in demand. Sales of cooling appliances, such as fans and air conditioners, have increased sharply across the continent.

The heatwave has disrupted the tourism sector as well. Many major landmarks, including Paris’s Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum, and Brussels’ Atomium, have shortened opening hours due to extreme temperatures during this crucial month for tourism.