Europe Scorches Under Record-Breaking Heatwave: Power Outages, Red Alerts, and School Closures Hit Multiple Nations
Europe is enduring one of its most intense heatwaves on record, with temperatures soaring past 40°C (104°F) in some areas and affecting hundreds of millions of people. The extreme weather has disrupted daily life across the continent, from power outages in northwestern France to red alerts in the United Kingdom and early closures of iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming, and they are expected to become more frequent, longer, and more intense as the climate continues to change. The current episode is already straining infrastructure, testing emergency services, and raising concerns about public health and economic productivity.
94 Million Face 35°C-Plus Temperatures
At least 94 million people in Europe are forecast to experience temperatures above 35°C on Wednesday alone, according to calculations by Agence France-Presse (AFP). Most of those affected are in France and Spain. An analysis based on data from Germany's national weather service and 2025 population projections from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre indicated that more than 350 million people across Europe — excluding Turkey — will see maximums above 30°C, representing nearly two-thirds of the continent's population.
UK Issues Rare Red Alert for Extreme Heat
A rare red alert for extreme heat came into force across parts of the UK on Wednesday morning, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures that could reach as high as 40°C — an unprecedented level for this time of year. The warning, which covers Wednesday and Thursday, extends across central and southern England, including London and Birmingham, the country's two largest cities. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors, avoid travel, and check on vulnerable neighbors.
France: Power Cut, School Closures, and Rescheduled Exams
In France, the record-breaking heatwave left around 68,000 households without electricity in the northwestern region on Wednesday, marking the country's first major power outage of the current heat crisis. Officials in the coastal department of Finistère said the outage was caused by a transformer failure linked to the extreme temperatures; no injuries were reported.
France also experienced its hottest day since modern measurements began in 1947 on Tuesday, with the national temperature indicator — an average of daytime and nighttime readings across 30 weather stations — reaching 29.8°C. The previous records were 29.4°C, set on July 25, 2019, and August 5, 2003.
The education ministry announced that about 10,000 of the 130,000 candidates sitting the baccalaureate exam had their oral tests rescheduled this week. Meanwhile, the government said 1,800 schools were closed on Tuesday because of the heat, out of 8,000 affected schools. Many others shortened classroom hours, sending pupils home early.
In Paris, two of the world's most visited tourist attractions — the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre — announced earlier closing times due to the heat. The spectacular Mont Saint-Michel island in Normandy urged visitors to postpone their trips during the red alert period.
Belgium's Atomium on Reduced Hours, Stellantis Workers Protest
Belgium's space-age Atomium monument, made of steel, will close earlier from Wednesday to Friday to avoid operating during the hottest part of the day, its management said. In the French city of Mulhouse, workers at a Stellantis plant — the manufacturer of Jeep vehicles — said they were ending their shifts early from Tuesday to Sunday in protest against working conditions during the boiling heat.
Warnings Across Central and Eastern Europe
Poland's weather service issued high-level heat warnings for the western part of the country from Thursday to Saturday, forecasting temperatures that could break the national record of 40.2°C set in 1921. Croatia placed its popular Adriatic coast under a red alert for Friday and Saturday. Hungary, already under a second-level heat alert, raised it to the maximum level from June 27 to June 30 as temperatures continued to climb.
Experts say that while this heatwave is exceptional, it is part of a longer-term trend driven by climate change. Without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, such extreme events are likely to become more common, placing greater strain on energy grids, health systems, and infrastructure across Europe.