Europe is reeling from an intense and unprecedented heatwave. Record-shattering temperatures swept across the continent through June, bringing widespread disruption and raising serious alarms. Both Spain and England experienced their hottest Junes ever recorded. This extreme weather event underscores the urgent need to address climate change and adapt to its accelerating impacts. Governments and residents are grappling with soaring mercury, sparking wildfires and posing significant health risks.
Record Temperatures Sweep Across the Continent
The scorching heat blanketed vast swathes of Europe, rewriting temperature records in several countries. The intensity surprised many, arriving earlier in the summer season than traditionally expected. Meteorological agencies are confirming that June 2025 will be remembered as a landmark month for extreme heat.
Spain’s Hottest June Ever
Spain bore the brunt of the early heat. Its national weather service, Aemet, declared June “extremely hot.” The average temperature across Spain reached an astonishing 23.6C (74.5F). This figure didn’t just break previous June records; Aemet stated it “has pulverised records.” The monthly average temperature even surpassed the typical averages normally seen during the hotter peak months of July and August. Daily highs were also extreme. Overnight into the first day of July, several locations across the Iberian peninsula topped 43C. Night-time temperatures offered little relief. Seville recorded a sweltering 28C overnight into Tuesday, with Barcelona hitting 27C. The province of Huelva in Andalucía saw Spain’s highest-ever temperature recorded in June, reaching 46C. Authorities in Barcelona are investigating whether the death of a street sweeper was heat-related.
England and the UK Set New Benchmarks
Across the English Channel, England also recorded its hottest June since national records began in 1884. The Met Office reported a mean temperature of 16.9C for the month in England. The United Kingdom as a whole experienced its second warmest June on record with a mean temperature of 15.2C. Only June 2023, which registered 15.8C, was warmer for the UK overall. This heatwave delivered the hottest day of the year so far for the UK. St James’s Park in London reached 34.7C on Tuesday. Earlier in the week, Heathrow Airport hit 33.1C. Charlwood in Surrey had previously recorded the hottest day of 2025 on June 21st at 33.2C. The heat significantly impacted daily life and events. Wimbledon recorded its hottest opening day ever, with temperatures hitting 32.9C, surpassing the 2001 record of 29.3C. Many areas experienced “tropical nights” where temperatures failed to drop below 20C overnight. The UK Health Security Agency issued Amber and Yellow heat health alerts across wide areas of England, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services.
Extreme Heat Across Europe
The heatwave was far from confined to the Iberian Peninsula and the British Isles.
Portugal: Mainland Portugal recorded an extreme daily temperature for June, hitting 46.6C (115.9F) in Mora. This broke the previous June high of 44.9C from 2017. Around two-thirds of the country were under high alert. 37% of Portugal’s monitoring stations recorded temperatures above 40C during the period.
France: Many cities experienced record-breaking hot nights and days for June. Paris Orly airport registered 37.6C. France’s Climate Minister called the situation “unprecedented.” The Paris region, along with 15 other departments, activated a red alert, the highest extreme heat warning. This unprecedented alert led to approximately 1,896 schools and colleges closing in affected areas. The top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed to visitors due to the intense heat. Cities like Orleans and Marseille offered free access to public pools and museums. Anecdotal reports from southern France described residents struggling to cope with temperatures reaching 41-42C.
Italy: The heatwave contributed to two heat-related deaths. The Tuscany region reported a 20% rise in hospital admissions. Twenty-one out of 27 major cities were under the highest heat alert. Thirteen regions, including Lombardy and Emilia, advised people to avoid going outside during the hottest parts of the day. Lombardy specifically banned outdoor work on building sites, roads, and farms from 12:30 to 16:00 until September. Florence recorded 38.9C, and Cagliari 38.6C. Forecasts predicted even higher temperatures, with Naples and Palermo expected to reach 39C. Regions like Sicily and Liguria also introduced outdoor work bans during peak heat hours.
Germany: The meteorological service warned of temperatures nearing 38C, potentially setting new records. This heat lowered water levels in the Rhine River, a vital shipping route, limiting cargo capacity and increasing freight costs. Industry groups noted that many schools, elderly care homes, and hospitals were ill-prepared due to insufficient cooling infrastructure. Data revealed a 12% increase in sick days linked to extreme heat in Germany from 2018 to 2023, sparking calls for a legal right for employees to take time off above 26C in the workplace. A key weather station in Potsdam recorded its driest first half of the year since 1893.
Greece: Temperatures approached 40C for several days. While not record highs for Greece during this wave, authorities opened air-conditioned facilities for vulnerable populations and banned outdoor work. Firefighting services were placed on high alert.
Balkans: Countries in the Balkans also struggled with the intense heat, although temperatures began to cool later. Wildfires were reported in Montenegro.
Beyond Temperature: Widening Impacts Across Europe
The consequences of this heatwave extended far beyond just hot thermometers. Public health systems faced strain, natural environments suffered, and daily life was significantly disrupted. The combination of high temperatures and dry conditions created a perfect storm for devastating wildfires.
Wildfires Rage
Large-scale wildfires erupted across several affected countries.
Turkey: Hundreds of wildfires broke out, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people, mainly from the western province of Izmir (over 50,000 evacuated). Fires also swept through other provinces like Bilecik, Hatay, Sakarya, and Manisa. Emergency teams responded to 263 wildfires nationwide in just three days.
Greece: Wildfires hit coastal towns near Athens, destroying homes and forcing residents to evacuate.
Other Areas: Fires were also reported in Montenegro and Italy. The London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner warned of increased wildfire risk in London, noting firefighters had already responded to 14 wildfires this year. Portugal also faced high wildfire risk.
Health Crisis and Public Safety Response
Heatwaves pose a severe health hazard. The intense heat led to tragic heat-related deaths in Italy and Turkey. Hospital admissions rose significantly, notably by 20% in Tuscany, Italy. Authorities implemented numerous measures to protect vulnerable populations and the public. These included:
Issuing high-level heat alerts in cities and regions (e.g., 21 cities in Italy, Paris and 15 other regions in France).
Advising residents to avoid outdoor activity during the hottest periods of the day.
Banning outdoor work during peak heat hours in certain sectors and regions (e.g., Lombardy, Italy, until September).
Closing schools and colleges in affected areas (e.g., nearly 1,900 establishments in France).
Closing major tourist attractions (e.g., top of the Eiffel Tower).
Offering free access to air-conditioned public facilities like museums and swimming pools for specific groups or the general public (e.g., Venice, Rome, Orleans, Marseille).
Opening air-conditioned facilities for vulnerable populations (e.g., Greece).
Placing emergency services like firefighting on high alert.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has highlighted extreme heat as a “silent killer.” Deaths are often underestimated in official statistics but are preventable with existing knowledge and tools.
Strain on Infrastructure and Environment
The heatwave also put pressure on vital infrastructure and natural environments. The lowered levels of the Rhine River in Germany severely impacted shipping, a critical transport route. This disruption increased freight costs. Environmentally, rising sea temperatures, such as in the Adriatic Sea, are encouraging invasive species like the poisonous lionfish. Meanwhile, the heat adds further stress to fragile alpine glaciers already shrinking at alarming rates due to climate change.
The Unmistakable Link to Climate Change
Experts and international bodies agree that extreme heat events like this European heatwave are becoming more common and intense due to human-caused climate change.
The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that extreme hot weather will happen more often and become more intense as the planet warms.
Scientists linking this specific June heatwave to climate change have calculated that such temperatures were made 100 times more likely by human activity.
The UN’s human rights chief, Volker Turk, warned that the heatwave highlighted the critical need for climate adaptation. He stressed the necessity of moving away from fossil fuels, the primary cause of climate change. Turk stated that rising temperatures, rising seas, floods, droughts, and wildfires threaten fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, health, and a healthy environment.
- Professor Richard Allan, a Climate Science expert at the University of Reading, explained the underlying mechanism. Rising greenhouse gas levels make it harder for the Earth to lose excess heat. This results in a “warmer, thirstier atmosphere.” This atmosphere is more effective at drying out soils. This soil drying effect intensifies heatwaves, turning what might have been moderate heat events into extreme ones.
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Germany’s average temperature rising by approximately 2C over the past century provides a national-level context for the long-term warming trend.
Coping Strategies and Looking Ahead
European countries and cities deployed a range of creative measures to help people cope with the heat. These included adjusting school hours, establishing “climate oases” with air conditioning, and making public facilities freely available. While the heatwave brought significant challenges, meteorological forecasts suggested some respite was on the way. Spain anticipated temperatures easing from Thursday. The UK expected fresher air from the west towards the middle of the week, potentially ending the heatwave conditions. However, the World Meteorological Organization cautioned that the world must learn to live with heatwaves. They are expected to become more intense and frequent. While July is typically the hottest month in the Northern Hemisphere, the extreme heat arriving so early in June is considered exceptional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific temperature records did Spain and England specifically break in June?
Spain recorded its hottest June on record with a national average temperature of 23.6C, described by Aemet as “pulverising records” and surpassing normal averages for July and August. England also set a new record for its hottest June, with the Met Office reporting a mean temperature of 16.9C. For the UK as a whole, it was the second warmest June since 1884.
How did European authorities and cities respond to the severe heatwave?
Governments and local authorities implemented various measures. These included issuing high-level heat alerts, advising residents to stay indoors during peak heat hours, banning outdoor work in certain regions (like Lombardy, Italy), closing schools and tourist attractions (like the Eiffel Tower), and opening or offering free access to air-conditioned public facilities such as museums and pools for vulnerable groups or the general public.
Is the intense European heatwave connected to climate change, and what do experts say?
Yes, experts strongly link the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves to human-caused climate change. The UN’s IPCC confirms that extreme hot weather will worsen as the planet warms. Scientists calculated that this specific June heatwave was made 100 times more likely by climate change. Experts explain that rising greenhouse gases trap heat, and a warmer atmosphere dries soils, intensifying heat events.
Conclusion
The June 2025 heatwave delivered record-breaking temperatures across Europe, with Spain and England notably experiencing their hottest Junes ever. This extreme weather event triggered widespread wildfires, strained health services, and disrupted daily life, highlighting the continent’s vulnerability to rising temperatures. The scientific consensus is clear: such intense and early-season heatwaves are becoming more probable and severe due to human-caused climate change. As temperatures climb globally, adapting to these new climate realities and accelerating efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions become ever more critical priorities. The events of June served as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.
