Europe heatwave rages: France closes 1,300 schools, Spain hits record 46 °C
Europe suffers from heatwave (photo: Getty Images)
Paris has declared a red alert due to extreme heat across Europe. Warnings about abnormally high temperatures are spreading throughout the continent, reports The Guardian.
France closes schools because of heat
On Tuesday, July 1, more than 1,350 schools across France were fully or partially closed as classrooms became dangerously hot for children and teachers.
In Paris, which recorded the highest temperatures, parents were advised to keep their children at home again on Wednesday, July 2. Some other cities, such as Troyes and Melun, closed all their schools.
It is reported that the Ministry of Education will begin discussions with mayors about adapting school buildings, most of which are extremely poorly protected from heat.
Temperature record in Spain
The Spanish national meteorological agency Aemet stated that June 2025 broke records. The average temperature was 23.6 degrees Celsius, which is 0.8 degrees higher than the previous hottest June in 2017.
The monthly average temperature was also 3.5 degrees higher than the average from 1991 to 2020.
Additionally, the province of Huelva in Andalusia recorded the highest ever temperature in Spain for June, 46 degrees Celsius.
Spain suffers from heat (photo: Getty Images)
Heat subsides in Greece
After temperatures reached 40 degrees over the weekend in Greece, northwesterly winds brought some relief to Athens. However, on July 1, the temperature again rose to 38 degrees.
Greek authorities were forced to open air-conditioned facilities for the elderly and vulnerable populations to help them cope with the heat. Outdoor work was also prohibited.
Civil protection officials say that wildfires are their greatest concern, and fire services have been put on alert.
Heatwave in Europe: Temperatures may reach +42
In the coming days, Europe will be hit by a wave of extreme heat with temperatures reaching 42 degrees Celsius. Meteorological services in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and Greece have already issued warnings and are implementing emergency measures.
The Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean are experiencing the first major anticyclone of the summer. In Spain, due to expected temperatures of up to 42 degrees in certain southern regions, a "red" danger level has been declared. Two-thirds of Portugal's territory has been placed on high alert due to the risk of wildfires.
In France, the heat has already spread across the south; Marseille recorded nearly +40 degrees. "Yellow" or "orange" alert level has been announced in 84 departments. In Aude, fires broke out and tourist camps and a historic abbey were evacuated.
As for Italy, Naples and Palermo are expected to see temperatures up to +39 degrees. In Liguria, working outdoors has been banned from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In Greece, a wildfire near Athens caused the evacuation of several villages and the closure of a coastal road.
In Ukraine, temperatures are also set to rise. On July 2, temperatures in Zakarpattia will reach +31 degrees, and on July 3, it will be 28-33 degrees in Kyiv, Rivne, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Lutsk, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Kropyvnytskyi.
