Published on 6/22/2026
Warnings are escalating in Europe this week due to a new severe heat wave, which has prompted many countries to take precautionary measures, including closing schools in France and canceling train trips in Belgium.
This is the second heat wave to hit Western Europe in less than a month, at a time when scientists say that climate change resulting from human activities is exacerbating the severity of extreme weather phenomena, especially heat waves.
In France, the Meteorological Authority declared a state of maximum alert from the red level in 49 departments, or about half of the country, starting at 12 noon (10:00 GMT), in a decision that sets a precedent. The French Meteorological Authority also declared an orange alert in 40 other departments.
In total, more than 90% of the French population will be affected by this heat wave. The authorities in the country announced several measures to reduce its negative effects on workers, especially in the construction sector, as well as in educational institutions.
In education, 845 schools will close on Monday, while 1,800 other educational institutions will dismiss their students early in the afternoon.
In Spain, the Meteorological Authority spoke of “a significant rise in temperatures for this period of the year, day and night, in most parts of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands until Wednesday.”
The authority said in a statement published on its official account on the X platform on Sunday, “Temperatures will drop again on Thursday, but the heat will remain intense.”
Also in Portugal, Tuesday is expected to be the hottest day, according to the Portuguese Meteorological Authority, which has placed 3 internal regions on orange alert, which is the second highest level of warning.
Stifling and annoying heat
This week is expected to be “the hottest ever in Belgium,” with the average temperature exceeding 27 degrees Celsius, according to David Dehenot, head of the forecasting department at the IRM Meteorological Institute. The Belgian National Railways Authority has canceled a number of train trips during the hours that will witness the highest temperatures on Monday and Tuesday.
In the Netherlands, the temperature may reach 37 degrees Celsius by the end of the week, according to local forecasts. A yellow alert is in effect throughout the country due to the “suffocating and annoying heat.”
The British Meteorological Office expected a severe heat wave in parts of central and southern England, as well as in Wales, by mid-week, and the office issued an orange alert for Wednesday and Thursday.
Akshay Deoras, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Reading, warned that England is facing a severe and “unprecedented” heat wave, expressing his fears of “widespread repercussions on public health, infrastructure and basic services.”
In Switzerland, the Meteorological Service expected the heat wave to continue until the end of next week, with a slight rise in temperatures starting Tuesday, with the heat wave reaching its peak in the second half of the week.
Austria’s National Meteorological Service said it expects the heat wave to continue throughout the week, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in most parts of the country.
In the Balkans, areas in Croatia and Serbia are expected to witness high temperatures in the coming days that may reach 35 degrees Celsius. In North Macedonia, the Meteorological Authority expected the temperature to reach 38 degrees Celsius on Monday in some areas, as is the case in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
