Thunderstorms sweep Europe as heatwave eases slightly on Tuesday

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11 months · 9 summary articles
Europe’s scorching heatwave is set to ease slightly on Tuesday as thunderstorms and showers sweep across parts of the continent, offering brief respite from record-breaking temperatures that have fueled wildfires and strained infrastructure. The shift comes as Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET, warned of “very unusual” conditions just two days ago, with temperatures soaring to 42°C in multiple regions .
In Spain, where three regions—Catalonia, Valencia, and Aragón—remain under red alerts for extreme heat, the AEMET forecasted temperatures could still reach 36–38°C across much of the peninsula, with peaks of 40–42°C in inland valleys and southern areas . Madrid is bracing for up to 41°C, accompanied by orange alerts during peak hours, while isolated thunderstorms with hail are expected in the afternoon . The storms, though localized, could bring brief cooling to some areas, though authorities caution that the heatwave’s core will persist through Friday.
France’s southern Pyrenees-Orientales department, already ravaged by wildfires that have scorched over 4,600 hectares and forced 10,000 evacuations, is seeing a slight shift in conditions. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the arrival of six additional firefighting aircraft from the EU to bolster efforts against the blazes, which have been exacerbated by drought, high winds, and temperatures exceeding 40°C . Residents in Ille-sur-Têt described the scene as apocalyptic, with smoke, ash, and aircraft flying overhead as firefighters battled the flames .
Germany’s Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD) reported that Tuesday’s temperatures in Bavaria would climb to 32°C along the Danube and Untermain, with partly cloudy skies giving way to sunshine . A cold front is expected to bring rain and cooler conditions by Wednesday, though temperatures will rebound to 30°C by the weekend. Meanwhile, Cyprus and Ukraine are forecast to see scattered showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures reaching 29°C in parts of Ukraine .
The heatwave has also disrupted major events, including the Tour de France, where organizers banned spectators from the final stage of Monday’s route due to wildfire smoke in the Pyrenees . In Greece, toxic smoke from wildfires forced residents of Thessaloniki indoors, while in Italy, the eruption of Mount Etna disrupted flights to Catania, with Finnair canceling Tuesday morning services .
Health officials across Europe are urging caution, particularly for vulnerable groups, as overnight lows in southern Spain, the Ebro Valley, and the Canary Islands failed to drop below 20°C, exacerbating heat stress . The European energy market has also reacted nervously, with Greece’s wholesale electricity prices surging over 50% amid fears of increased demand for air conditioning .
While the thunderstorms offer temporary relief, meteorologists warn that the underlying heatwave will persist, with temperatures expected to rebound to extreme levels by the weekend. The wildfires, meanwhile, show no signs of abating, with Catalonia and other regions in Spain and France mobilizing additional resources to contain the blazes.
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