Europe is grappling with an intense heatwave that has shattered temperature records across multiple countries. Spain and England have recorded their hottest June ever, as scorching heat continues to sweep across the continent. From wildfires in Turkey to record-breaking temperatures in Portugal, the climate crisis is making its presence felt with a vengeance.

Spain’s Record-Breaking June

According to Spain’s weather service Aemet, June’s average temperature of 23.6°C (74.5°F) “has pulverised records,” surpassing the typical summer months of July and August. This has made it the hottest June in Spain’s history. The heatwave has intensified, with temperatures in many areas of the Iberian Peninsula topping 43°C (109°F). Seville and Barcelona recorded overnight temperatures of 28°C and 27°C respectively, adding to the ongoing discomfort for residents.

England Sees a Record-Breaking June

In England, the Met Office confirmed that June’s mean temperature of 16.9°C set a new record for that month, marking the second warmest June since records began in 1884. The heat reached its peak in St James’s Park in London, which saw 34.7°C (94.5°F), the hottest day of the year. Wimbledon’s opening day was also the tournament’s hottest on record, with temperatures reaching 32.9°C (91.2°F).

Scorched Portugal and Heatwaves Across Europe

In mainland Portugal, temperatures reached a staggering 46.6°C (115.9°F), setting a new record for June. This follows earlier reports of a similar high in the country. Meanwhile, Turkey faced devastation from wildfires, forcing tens of thousands of evacuations in the western province of Izmir. The fires have spread across several provinces, including Hatay and Manisa.

In Italy, heat-related incidents have tragically led to the deaths of two individuals, while hospital admissions in the Tuscany region have risen by 20%. Emergency measures have been put in place, including a ban on outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day in several regions. In Florence, temperatures hit 38.9°C (102°F), while Cagliari in southern Italy recorded 38.6°C (101.5°F).

France and Germany Feel the Heat

The heatwave also extended to France, where the country faced its highest-ever June temperatures. In Paris, Orly Airport recorded 37.6°C (99.7°F). Paris has activated its red alert warning for extreme heat for the first time in five years, affecting over 1,800 schools. France’s climate minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, called the situation “unprecedented.” The Eiffel Tower’s summit was closed for safety reasons, as the heatwave continued across much of the country.

In Germany, temperatures are expected to reach nearly 38°C (100°F), possibly breaking records in several areas. The extreme heat has caused the Rhine River to drop to critically low levels, severely limiting shipping capacity and driving up freighting costs.

The Wider Impact of the Heatwave

The heatwave has had far-reaching effects on both human health and the environment. Rising temperatures in the Adriatic Sea are increasing the prevalence of invasive species like the poisonous lionfish, while alpine glaciers continue to shrink at record rates.

Volker Turk, the UN’s human rights chief, stressed the urgent need for climate adaptation. He warned that the increasing frequency of extreme heatwaves highlights the danger posed by climate change and calls for a shift away from fossil fuels. “Rising temperatures, rising seas, floods, droughts, and wildfires threaten our rights to life, to health, to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” Turk said in a statement.

A New Era of Extreme Heat

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to human-induced climate change, according to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Professor Richard Allan from the University of Reading explained that rising greenhouse gas levels are preventing the Earth from losing excess heat, making it harder for the planet to cool down. “The warmer, thirstier atmosphere is more effective at drying soils, meaning heatwaves are intensifying, with moderate heat events now becoming extreme,” he said.

As Europe continues to experience these extreme weather conditions, experts warn that such events will only become more common in the coming years. The impact on human health, economies, and the environment will likely worsen unless urgent steps are taken to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.