Heatwave hits Europe as temperatures set to reach over 42 degrees this weekend
This heatwave continues to intensify across Europe - the UK and France will experience incredible June temperature anomalies of between 12–16°C above normal. Extreme, dangerous heat for vulnerable groups. As the planet warms, these deadly events are becoming more frequent.…
pic.twitter.com/uPPpcqLSUp
— Peter Dynes (@PGDynes)
June 17, 2025
The heatwave has impacted a number of countries in Europe,
including Ireland, where temperatures, may soar to 29 degrees today
.
On Sunday, the Portuguese town of Mértola hit 40.5 degrees, the country's highest temperature this year, while several regions in Spain soared past 42 degrees. Similar temperature highs have been forecast for this weekend.
Across Greece, minimum nighttime temperatures have hovered stubbornly above 30°C, a dangerous threshold that leaves little respite from the heat.
The World Weather Attribution group
warned that the current heatwave must be taken 'extremely seriously'
, as the probability of seeing temperatures above 32°C in parts of Europe during June has increased 100-fold since the pre-industrial era.
Europe experienced its warmest year on record in 2024 and excess temperatures are estimated to have killed tens of thousands of people in recent years.
During the summer of 2022, more than 60,000 people across Europe died as a result of extreme heat. Even in the following summer, which was significantly cooler, over 47,000 heat-related deaths were recorded.
Severe weather events, intensified by global warming and human-driven carbon emissions, caused €18.2 billion in damages, with flooding accounting for 85% of the total.
The last ten years have been the warmest ten years on record.
Forecasters say the extreme heat on the continent that has been seen in recent weeks is intensifying.
Advertisement
A strong ridge of high pressure over western Europe is pulling in hot, dry air from the south, with France, Italy, the Benelux countries, and western Germany bracing for highs in the mid to upper 30s in the coming days.
Current temperatures across France.
Meteociel
Meteociel
Paris is expected to reach 35 degrees today, while Rome could touch 38 degrees.
Madrid may remain near or above 37 degrees every day next week.
In the UK, temperatures may reach 34 degrees tomorrow.
⚠️ Yellow weather warning issued ⚠️
Thunderstorms across parts of northern England and Wales
Saturday 1500 – Sunday 0400
Latest info 👉
https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay
#WeatherAware
⚠️
pic.twitter.com/5jeHHHG7Ee
— Met Office (@metoffice)
June 20, 2025
The UK's Met Office has also issued a thunderstorm warning for parts of northern England, the Midlands and Wales from tomorrow afternoon into Sunday, as the heat and humidity is expected to fuel torrential downpours.
The hot, dry conditions are fuelling a sharp increase in wildfires.
In the UK alone, firefighters have responded to more than 500 wildfires this year, a 717% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council.
Weather authorities across Europe, including Met Éireann, are urging the public to avoid lighting fires outdoors and to dispose of glass bottles carefully, as they can ignite dry vegetation.
Unsure of what exactly is happening with the earth's climate? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online.
Visit Knowledge Bank
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Met Office issues SIX new warnings as thunderstorms, hail & flash floods to strike huge swathe of UK
THE Met Office has issued SIX fresh yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms and rain. Lightning, hail and thunderstorms are set to batter Brits across the next two days. Advertisement 2 London drivers navigating deep surface water on the roads yesterday Credit: LNP 2 The Met Office issued six new weather warnings More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Pre-season friendly AXED as torrential rain and thunderstorms batter UK with fears more games will be hit
A PRE-SEASON match between Portsmouth and Crawley Town has been suspended hours before kick-off due to torrential rain. Pompey had been due to meet the League Two side in Sussex in their latest warm-up game at 3pm on Saturday. Advertisement 3 Portsmouth vs Crawley Town has been suspended hours before kick-off due to torrential rain Credit: Rex A pitch inspection this morning at Broadfield Stadium deemed the pitch unplayable. Crawley have confirmed fans who bought tickets in advance will be issued with a refund. Other pre-season games due to kick-off today are at risk of being called off. Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS Meanwhile, pre-season tour against local rivals Leeds at Elland Road. The UK braces for floods as yellow and amber weather alerts have been issued. Thunderstorm warnings are in place in most of England , with only the southwest escaping a potential deluge today. The Met Office says there is a risk of sudden flooding, travel delays and power cuts. Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking Exclusive CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 3 The Met Office has issues three weather warnings across the UK 3 Drivers navigating deep surface water on the A3 slip-road at Tolworth southwest London today THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. Advertisement The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
UK weather: Torrential rain and thunderstorms to hit as Met Office warns of flooding & summer holiday travel chaos
HEAVY rain and thunderstorms are set to batter Brits this weekend as the Met Office warns of "significant" flooding. The UK has been urged to check travel routes this morning as torrential downpours are expected to spark disruption. 5 Brits were caught out by the heavy rain in London this morning Credit: LNP 5 Lightning above Hastings Pier in East Sussex late last night Credit: Liam Willis/ 5 The Met Office has issues three weather warnings across the UK Credit: LNP Following a spell of glorious sunshine, the The Met Office have issued an amber weather It also includes the whole of London and stretches as far as Cambridge. The alert was in force from 4am this morning and will end at 11am. Read More "Torrential rain, with thunderstorms in places, could lead to some significant surface water flooding during Saturday morning," warned the weather agency. Some communities are "likely" to be cut off if roads flood, with be train and bus delays or cancellations also possible. Motorists have been urged to take care as "difficult" driving conditions are predicted too. Most read in The Sun Thunderstorms may also trigger power cuts and loss of other services to houses affected. Brits have been advised homes and businesses could be flooded "quickly", while "floodwater, lightening strikes, hail or strong winds" could also cause damage. "Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life," the Met Office added. Chief Met Office meteorologist Andy Page said: 'Intense rainfall will impact parts of the UK as thunderstorms move in from France. 'This weekend is expected to be busy on the roads as more schools in England and Wales break up for the summer holidays, so it's important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast. 'There will be spells of more pleasant weather in parts of the UK through the weekend, with some sunny spells in between systems as they move through.' 5 There are two yellow weather warnings, and an amber alert for thunderstorms Credit: MET Office 5 Brits have been warned of flooding and travel chaos Elsewhere, much of the UK, excluding Wales and the south west of England, are under a yellow thunderstorm warning. This came into place at midnight, with "heavy rain and some thunderstorms" predicted until 9pm tonight. The warning on the Met Office website reads: "Rain will likely be locally torrential, bringing 20-30 mm in less than an hour in many places, with 60-90 mm in less than three hours possible in a few places. "Whilst rain will clear from the south of the area by early Saturday afternoon, further thunderstorms are likely to develop here. "As well as heavy rain, impacts from frequent lightning, gusty winds and large hail are also likely." Meanwhile, in Scotland, Glasgow and Edinburgh have been issued a yellow weather warning for rain. This will come into effect at 4pm this afternoon, and last until midday on Sunday. Those affected have been warned of "a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services". Delays to public transport and a "small chance" of flooding is also forecast. The Environment Agency has currently issued 30 flood alerts where disruption is possible. And, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has 10 live flood alerts. Although the south west of England may have escaped weather warnings this weekend, looking ahead there's a yellow alert for rain on Monday. It covers Plymouth all the way down to Land's End, but only lasts from midnight to 3am. Despite torrential downpours and thunderstorms for much of the UK this weekend, temperatures will remain warm. Figures are forecast to climb into the high teens this morning, with highs of 22C across the south east by 1pm. Elsewhere, the mercury will remain hovering between 19C to 21C for all today. Tomorrow, Brits can expect a very similar forecast with the same high of 22C. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly, said: 'More warnings could be issued for the weekend and early next week. Keep an eye on the Met Office forecast for updates as the picture develops. 'Within the warm and humid airmass we will potentially see temperatures reaching 30°C or more for parts of eastern England by Friday, with very warm and muggy conditions continuing into the weekend in parts of central and southern England.' Next week, the weather will still be unsettled, with showers and thunderstorms at times. UK five day weather forecast Today Heavy, thundery rain moves north this morning, reaching Scotland by the afternoon. Torrential downpours may cause difficult conditions in places. Scattered showers follow across England and Wales, with thicker cloud and rain in the southwest later. Fresher, but still humid. Tonight Rain, heavy in places across the southwest will spread slowly east overnight, reaching much of Wales and southern England by dawn. Rain, thundery at times will continue across northern areas. Sunday Remaining unsettled on Sunday with showers or longer spells of rain, some heavy and thundery in places. Fresher than recent days but still warm particularly in any sunny spells. Outlook for Monday to Wednesday Low pressure lingers into early next week, keeping conditions unsettled with sunny spells and heavy showers. Showers will gradually ease by Wednesday, with temperatures staying close to the seasonal average.
