Governments and emergency services raced to respond as temperatures climbed toward 40–41°C, forcing sudden measures and disrupting daily life across major European cities.
A scorching heatwave that swept across much of Europe prompted emergency meetings in France, warnings in Germany, and tension among tourists and residents in Italy as temperatures rose to near-record levels.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was set to hold a crisis meeting on Saturday after the national meteorological agency Meteo France warned that the heat would continue, likening it to the major episodes of 2003 and 2019.
According to meteorologists, on Sunday temperatures will reach 39 to 40°C in the southwestern zone up to the Paris region and Burgundy, with some areas possibly hitting 41°C. The peak of the heat is expected on Monday, when high temperatures may rival historic maximums.
Germany also issued nearly nationwide heat warnings, with highs around 38°C expected. The DWD weather service warns that the combination of heat and humidity could trigger severe storms.
Cooling Under the Roman Temple
Beyond the Alps, temperatures in the 36–37°C range are affecting daily life and tourism in some Italian cities.
Visitors stood in the blazing sun before the Colosseum as Rome’s summer heat turned sightseeing into a test of endurance. Some sought the coolness in the underground, spacious spaces beneath the remains of the Temple of Claudius.
In the northern city of Bologna, one of the hottest on the peninsula, people were dousing their faces with water near the central Fountain of Neptune and seeking shade under the portico arches.
In Warsaw, locals also looked for relief from the heat at popular spots along the Vistula River.
The Heat Wave and the Economy
Scientists warn that climate change is making heat waves more frequent and intense in Europe, increasing health and economic risks during the summer season.
In Paris, authorities are trying to lessen the heat’s impact on residents: Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire ordered parks to stay open around the clock.
Economic costs from extreme heat are also drawing attention. The Governor of the Bank of France, Emmanuel Moulin, noted that the short-term impacts on economic growth are “more ambiguous,” as productivity declines and energy use increases, but stressed that in the medium term the heat wave weighs on economic activity.