Europe braces for historic June heatwave as temperatures hit 40C
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Europe braces for historic June heatwave as temperatures soar past 42C
Follow-upEurope braces for historic June heatwave as temperatures hit 40C
Europe shatters May heat records as Portugal hits 40.3C
Follow-up
Europe is bracing for a historic June heatwave as temperatures soared to 40.2°C in Montmorillon, France—an unprecedented high for the month—while cities across the continent cancel events and authorities issue stark warnings. Météo-France placed much of the country under heat alert as the scorching air mass, described by Severe Weather Europe as a “dangerous longevity” event, shows no signs of abating before the Summer Solstice .
In France, the national weather service recorded the 40.2°C peak in the Vienne department on Wednesday, shattering previous June records and forcing authorities in Poitiers to postpone baccalaureate oral exams. Local governments in several municipalities have also scrapped the traditional Fête de la musique, citing health risks as the mercury threatens to climb further .
Neighbouring countries are equally affected. Austria expects up to 36°C through the weekend, accompanied by violent thunderstorms, while Germany’s Rhine-Main region anticipates 38°C along the Upper Rhine, prompting Frankfurt officials to announce plans to retrofit school buildings with cooling systems . In Belgium and the Netherlands, major festivals and sporting fixtures have been either cancelled or rescheduled, with organisers citing “unprecedented heat stress” for participants and spectators alike .
Sweden’s capital Stockholm took the extraordinary step of urging residents to stay home during Saturday’s World Cup viewing parties, arguing that “we will not risk people’s lives and health” despite the festive occasion . Belgian meteorologist David Dehenauw told De Morgen that relief is not expected until late June, when temperatures should drift back toward a more typical 25°C .
International observers warn that this is the continent’s second major heat event in less than a month, following late-May episodes that already stretched emergency services. Courrier International notes that Europe’s repeated exposure to “extreme heat and tropical nights” is now a sustained pattern that global media are tracking closely .
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