In Portugal, Spain and France, many places recorded temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius. The recent hot air mass has brought record temperatures and humidity to the eastern United States and Africa. Germany, Italy and Greece are expected to continue to experience heat waves of up to 35 degrees Celsius or higher.
In Portugal, the highest temperature on June 30 in Beja and Evora reached 43 degrees Celsius. In addition, the likelihood of forest fires in flammable areas is also expected to skyrocket. Temperatures in many parts of Spain are expected to hit record levels, around 42 degrees Celsius on June 29.
The strong heat wave in the Mediterranean, considered the world's largest sea temperature abnormality, contributed to pushing the tropical waves deeper inland, with temperatures in Paris and Berlin forecast to approach record levels this week.
In order to reduce heat-related accidents, the French government of Marseille has opened free public swimming pools for people in the area. The Italian island government Sicily has also banned some outdoor activities for certain time frames.
Hot deaths in Europe have increased by nearly 30% in the past 20 years. People with chronic diseases are at high risk of health problems related to heat.
Rising temperatures in southern Europe are signaling a global problem. Summer heat arrived earlier in June and maintained deeper temperatures in September, extending the period with the potential risk of severe weather and increased risks associated with heat. This year, heat waves have also been reported in Canada, eastern United States and Northern Europe.
According to research, it is forecasted that by 2050, more than 5 billion people - about more than half of the planet's population - will have to endure at least 1 month of extreme heat that affects their health when outdoors. This figure will increase from 4 billion people in 2030 and 2 billion people by the turn of the century.
The May 2025 report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) forecasts an 80% chance that at least one of the years from 2025 to 2029 will break the record for the warmest year of 2024.
