France Closes Schools Amidst Scorching Heatwave Sweeping Europe, Spanish Coast Reaches Unprecedented Sea Temperatures

As a severe heatwave continues to sweep across Europe, over 1,000 schools in France have been compelled to close their doors, with the top floor of the iconic Eiffel Tower also shutting down for tourists. This unprecedented weather pattern has triggered health alerts throughout the region.

The Mediterranean Sea has experienced a remarkable temperature spike, reaching up to 6 degrees Celsius above the seasonal norm, including a staggering 30°C record in Spain’s Balearic Sea. A heat dome has effectively trapped hot air over the continent, as noted by the Aemet weather service.

In fact, Europe is identified as the fastest-warming continent, heating at twice the global average, according to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Such alarming trends are resulting in extreme heatwaves occurring earlier and lasting longer each year.

Today, France is expected to reach peak temperatures between 40-41°C in some regions, while most areas will experience highs of 36-39°C, as reported by Meteo France.

As the heat intensifies, the Education Ministry has reported a significant rise in school closures—up to 1,350—with a substantial increase from around 200 closures just yesterday. Additionally, visitors to the Eiffel Tower are advised to stay hydrated, as the top floor will remain closed today and tomorrow.

The extreme heat increases the risk of field fires, particularly threatening farmers in France, the EU’s leading grain producer, as they commence this year’s harvest. Some farmers are opting to work during nighttime hours to sidestep the sweltering afternoon conditions. In the Indre region of central France, where field fires have been rampant since late June, authorities have mandated a ban on fieldwork between 2 PM and 6 PM.

In Portugal, after two days under red alert in several areas, including Lisbon, conditions are set to improve, with warnings downgraded to orange in all but eight inland regions. However, temperatures are still expected to soar to 40°C in cities like Castel Branco, Beja, and Evora, and to 34°C in the capital.

Recently, beachgoers in northern and central Portugal observed a rare “roll cloud,” a testament to the severe weather gripping the region. One swimmer described, “The most frightening thing was the wind and everything becoming dark. It looked like a tsunami,” capturing the daunting nature of this climatic phenomenon.

Spain is bracing for similar extreme temperatures, with forecasts indicating highs in the high 30s to mid-40s, following a record-setting 46°C in the south last month. Meanwhile, red alerts have been issued for 18 Italian cities, including Rome, Milan, and Verona, as extreme weather grips the region.

Italy also faced a different kind of weather challenge when heavy rains resulted in a flash flood in the northern Piedmont region, tragically claiming the life of a 70-year-old man. Regional president Alberto Cirio remarked, “We are increasingly faced with emergency situations due to weather events that we used to call exceptional but are now more and more frequent.”

Observations reveal that the Mediterranean Sea has recorded a historic temperature high of 26.01°C this June, according to Thibault Guinaldo of the French weather service.

As wildfires threaten various regions in Portugal, approximately 250 firefighters are actively combating a blaze in the southern Aljustrel area. Meanwhile, in Turkey, more than 50,000 residents have been evacuated due to a series of wildfires exacerbated by fierce winds reaching 120 km/h.

Climate scientists warn that the intense heat poses significant risks to biodiversity. Kathryn Smith, a scientist from the Marine Biological Association, cautioned, “We’ve seen mass mortalities of invertebrate species and die-offs of seagrass beds in the past. Similar impacts are likely from this event.”

Health alerts are rampant across Europe, as both residents and tourists seek ways to cope with the overwhelming heat. Studies indicate that extreme heat claims up to 480,000 lives each year globally—a staggering figure that surpasses the combined fatalities from floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes.

In Belgium, innovative solutions are being embraced. In a retirement home in Grimbergen, residents found joy in passing a ball to each other while enjoying a cooling paddling pool. “To me, it’s a great activity,” shared resident Marie-Jeanne Olbrechts.

In Germany, the DGG association for geriatric care highlighted that many regions are inadequately equipped to handle such heatwaves. Author Clemens Becker stated, “If they were, they could prevent tens of thousands of deaths in the future.”

As we navigate these increasingly extreme conditions, scientists emphasize that greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels are a leading cause of climate change, alongside deforestation and industrial practices. Last year marked the hottest on record for our planet.

In the face of this crisis, it is vital that we work collectively to advocate for change and awareness, ensuring a sustainable future for all.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.