Europe Boils as Spain Hits 46°C During Record-Breaking June Heatwave
Europe is in the grip of an intense and historic heatwave, with countries across the continent experiencing dangerously high temperatures and escalating public health concerns. Among the hardest-hit areas is southern Spain, where the town of El Granado recorded a scorching 46 degrees Celsius on Saturday — setting a new national record for the hottest June temperature ever measured.
According to Spain’s national meteorological agency, this month is now on track to become the hottest June in the country’s recorded history. The broader Iberian Peninsula has also seen relentless sun and minimal cloud cover, creating searing conditions particularly in cities like Seville and Córdoba.
Emergency weather warnings are being issued across southern Europe. Red alerts have been declared in Portugal, Italy, and Croatia due to the extreme heat. Meanwhile, amber alerts cover wide swaths of Spain, France, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, and Switzerland. The rising temperatures are straining healthcare systems and prompting local officials to issue urgent heat advisories.
In Barcelona, the heatwave turned tragic. A municipal street cleaner collapsed and died shortly after finishing her shift during peak afternoon temperatures on Saturday. While an investigation is underway, local authorities have acknowledged the extreme heat as a potential contributing factor.
Italy, too, is facing a surge in heat-related emergencies. Hospitals across the country are reporting a sharp increase in cases of heatstroke, particularly among the elderly, cancer patients, and individuals without stable housing. According to Mario Guarino, vice president of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine, the situation is particularly concerning in urban centers where heat lingers through the night.
In response to the rising health risk, hospitals such as Ospedale dei Colli in Naples have activated what they are calling “heatstroke pathways,” fast-tracking patients to receive lifesaving treatments like cold-water immersion. The city of Bologna has opened multiple air-conditioned shelters equipped with drinking water to serve vulnerable residents. Meanwhile, in Rome, senior citizens aged 70 and above are being granted free access to municipal swimming pools to help cool down safely.
The extreme temperatures have not spared the western Balkans either. Serbia experienced its highest temperature since the 1800s when national recordkeeping began. Slovenia also recorded its hottest June day on Saturday, while North Macedonia reported highs of 42 degrees Celsius just a day earlier. The entire region is reeling from unrelenting sun and a lack of cooling overnight, which increases the health dangers even further.
Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, is also under stress. Pharmacists and public health workers have urged citizens to remain indoors during the hottest parts of the day. Despite the warnings, heatstroke and sunburn cases continue to rise, particularly among outdoor workers and tourists.
The heatwave is forecasted to intensify across northern Europe in the coming days. A persistent high-pressure system centered over the continent is drawing in hot, dry air, driving temperatures higher across France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. London, in particular, is expected to see temperatures reach 35 degrees Celsius by Monday. Yellow and amber alerts are in place across southern England, and meteorologists warn that the heat will continue to rise as the pressure system shifts eastward.
Scientists emphasize that while it's difficult to attribute any single weather event directly to climate change, the growing frequency and severity of such heatwaves are a clear indicator of global warming’s accelerating impact. Research from World Weather Attribution, an organization that analyzes the influence of climate change on extreme weather, suggests that June heatwaves with sustained temperatures over 28 degrees Celsius are now at least ten times more likely than they were in pre-industrial times.
A spokesperson from the group stated that heat like this used to be rare in many parts of Europe, but is rapidly becoming the new normal. This alarming trend calls for urgent adaptation measures in public health infrastructure, urban planning, and environmental policy.
Throughout Spain, Portugal, Italy, and beyond, authorities continue to advise residents to stay indoors during peak sun hours, stay hydrated, and monitor the well-being of elderly family members and neighbors. Cooling centers, hydration stations, and emergency response systems are being expanded in anticipation of more extreme conditions.
As this record-breaking European heatwave unfolds, it has exposed critical gaps in regional preparedness and reinforced growing concerns about climate resilience. The coming days will be pivotal as governments, health agencies, and citizens navigate what may go down in history as one of Europe’s most severe heatwaves to date.