Europe swelters under second heat dome in two months as France bans alcohol and Spain closes World Cup fan zone

Europe is enduring its second severe heatwave in two months, with temperatures spiking above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) across large parts of the continent, prompting emergency measures in several countries. France has imposed a partial alcohol ban, Spain has closed a World Cup fan zone, and the UK is bracing for what could be its hottest June day on record. Heat alerts have been issued by 26 countries, from Ireland to Greece, as a persistent heat dome traps hot air over western and southern Europe.

In France, the government placed 35 of its 96 departments under a rare red alert on Sunday, with temperatures forecast to reach 41 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas. Monday could become the hottest day on record for any month in the country, according to Météo-France, which compared the event to the deadly August 2003 heatwave that killed nearly 15,000 people. The government banned alcohol consumption in public spaces in red-alert zones during the annual Fête de la Musique celebrations to ease pressure on healthcare services, and ordered more than 800 schools to close on Monday. Parks and gardens have been kept open overnight for the public, and misting stations have been set up at the Eiffel Tower and other venues.

Spain’s national weather agency reported that the first heatwave of the summer has spread across the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, with temperatures reaching 40 to 42 degrees Celsius (104 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday. The heat prompted authorities to close a large football fan zone in Madrid’s Plaza de Colón, where giant screens had been set up for Spain’s World Cup match against Saudi Arabia. Outdoor sports and cultural activities have been suspended in parts of the Basque region, and a wildfire risk warning has been issued.

The United Kingdom is also bracing for extreme conditions, with the Met Office issuing a rare “Red Extreme Heat Warning” for Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures could reach at least 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius), which would shatter the country’s June record of 96.08 degrees Fahrenheit (35.6 degrees Celsius) set in 1976. Scientists have warned that the UK may experience “tropical nights,” where temperatures stay above 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), affording no relief from the daytime heat.

In Italy, the health ministry expanded red heat alerts to eight cities by Sunday, including Turin, Florence, and Rome, where temperatures climbed to 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit). Visitors sought shade under ancient porticoes and at water fountains, while in Bologna, people used the 16th-century Fountain of Neptune to cool off. Germany declared nationwide heat warnings as temperatures approached 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), with the meteorological service DWD warning of possible severe thunderstorms due to rising humidity.

According to the World Health Organization’s Europe office, more than 200,000 people across Europe died from heat-related causes over the past four years, most of which were preventable. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves to human-caused climate change and a strengthening El Niño pattern. Only about 20% of European homes have air conditioning, compared to roughly 90% in the United States, raising concerns about public health. French officials have suggested that the government may consider adopting air conditioning “if necessary” in response to the crisis.