Red heat alerts issued across Europe as temperatures near record highs

June 22, 2026

Authorities across western and central Europe have issued red heat alerts as an intense heatwave is expected to worsen over the coming days, with temperatures forecast to exceed 40°C in several countries.

In France, more than half of the country’s regions are under the highest weather warning level, with forecasters predicting temperatures could reach 42°C in Bordeaux on Monday. Hundreds of schools have been ordered to close as authorities seek to protect vulnerable populations.

The extreme weather has also been linked to tragedy. Two children, aged two and four, were found dead inside a family car in the southern French town of Carpentras. Investigators believe the intense heat may have contributed to the incident.

Red heat warnings have also been issued in parts of Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Luxembourg as temperatures continue to climb.

Meteorologists say the scorching conditions are being driven by hot air moving northward from the Sahara Desert, trapping heat across large sections of Europe. Forecasters warn the current episode could become one of the longest-lasting heatwaves experienced in recent years.

Climate experts note that frequent heatwaves are increasingly associated with global warming. According to France’s national weather agency, Météo-France, 34 of the country’s 51 recorded heatwaves since 1947 have occurred since 2000, with 26 taking place since 2011.

Across Europe, authorities are taking precautionary measures:

Spain’s weather agency, Aemet, has warned of exceptionally high temperatures through Wednesday, with some areas expected to experience conditions 5°C to 10°C above seasonal norms. The Basque Country is under a red alert, while San Sebastián could see temperatures rise to 40°C.
Italy has issued red alerts for 12 cities, including Milan, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Turin and Venice, following several days of temperatures above 35°C.
Germany has reported five fatal drowning incidents over the weekend as residents sought relief from temperatures that have already reached 38°C.
The UK Met Office has issued a rare red heat warning for parts of England and Wales, with temperatures potentially climbing to 38°C later this week.
Belgium’s meteorological service has warned that temperatures could break records, while railway operators have cancelled some peak-hour services due to heat-related concerns.

Temperatures are expected to peak across much of Europe on Wednesday, with Paris forecast to reach 41°C.

The heat has already disrupted daily life in France. Several rail services have been reduced, and the national rail operator has advised elderly and vulnerable passengers to postpone non-essential travel. Authorities say 845 schools have closed, while nearly 1,800 others have shortened class hours.

A red heat alert in France represents the highest level of warning and signals potentially life-threatening conditions requiring extreme caution.

More than 60 million people across the country are currently affected by either red or orange heat alerts.

Authorities are also investigating the deaths of the two children found inside a parked vehicle after temperatures in the region climbed to 39°C. Emergency responders were unable to revive them.

Meanwhile, French officials have urged the public to avoid swimming in unsupervised rivers and lakes after 13 drowning deaths were recorded over the weekend.

In the Gironde region, local authorities reported that three elderly residents aged between 80 and 95 died amid the extreme temperatures.

The heatwave follows a weekend in which temperatures exceeded 40°C in parts of France, prompting the government to ban alcohol at state-organised events during the annual Fête de la Musique celebrations in an effort to reduce pressure on emergency and healthcare services.

Forecasters expect temperatures ranging between 36°C and 40°C across much of France for several more days and warn that the heatwave is likely to remain widespread, intense and prolonged, with significant relief not expected until later in the week.