A new heat wave has reached several countries in Europe since Monday (30) and should continue until Wednesday (2). Temperatures should remain high at least until midweek in Italy, Portugal, France and Spain – where thermometers have recorded peaks of up to 44 ° C in recent days.
According to meteorological predictions, 84 of the 95 regions of France are on orange alert – the second highest. Companies were oriented to “protect their employees” and about 200 public schools, from 45,000 in the country, closed partially or fully.
Heat alerts are also in force in other parts of southern and eastern Europe, such as Germany, the United Kingdom and Balkan countries, including Croatia. “We have never seen it before,” said France’s Ecological Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher.
Warmer days ever registered
On Saturday (28), Spain registered a temperature record since the beginning of the measurements, with 46.6 ° C in Granada, Andalusia. The previous mark was 45.2 ° C in Seville in June 1965. As temperatures were above seasonal averages, the national weather service indicated that June should break the warmer month record.
In Portugal, two thirds of the country were on red alert until the night of Monday (30) due to extreme heat and forest fires. On the same day, the Italian Ministry of Health placed 21 of the 27 cities monitored under the highest level of alert, including tourist destinations such as Rome, Milan, Naples, Venice and Florence.
Greece is again on maximum alert for forest fires. A large fire emerged south of Athens on Thursday (26), forcing evacuations and blocking roads. The strong winds spread the flames, damaging houses and covering the sky with smoke.
