Main points
- Europe is expecting a wave of abnormal heat with forecasts of up to +42°C in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece.
- Countries are taking emergency measures, including health ministry recommendations, free entry to swimming pools in France and restrictions on outdoor work in Italy.
- In Greece, heatwaves have caused a massive forest fire near Athens.
Abnormal heat expected in Europe / Getty Images
Europe is preparing for a major heat wave to hit the continent in the coming days, with temperatures forecast to reach 42 degrees Celsius in a number of countries. Weather services in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece have already issued extreme weather warnings.
Health ministries are issuing recommendations to citizens. This was reported by 24 Kanal, citing The Guardian.
Europe braces for abnormal heat
In the south of Spain, peak temperatures of up to +42 degrees Celsius are expected. The local Ministry of Health has called on citizens to avoid exposure to the sun, drink more water and take special care of vulnerable groups of the population – the elderly, pregnant women and the chronically ill.
On Sunday, June 29, Portugal will also activate a high alert regime due to heat and the risk of forest fires: Lisbon is expecting +42 degrees Celsius.
In France, the heat has gripped the south of the country. In Marseille, the thermometers rose to almost +40 degrees Celsius. The authorities decided to make entry to public swimming pools free of charge so that residents could cool off.
In Italy, +39 degrees Celsius is expected in Naples and Palermo. In Sicily, restrictions are being introduced on working outdoors during the hottest hours. Trade unions are demanding similar rules be introduced throughout the country.
In Greece, temperatures reached almost +40 degrees Celsius. A large forest fire broke out near Athens, forcing authorities to announce an evacuation and close the coastal highway towards Cape Sounion.
