**Europe Faces Another Day of Extreme Heat After Record Temperatures Set**
**Published: June 25, 2026**
Europe is bracing for another day of extreme heat as forecasts predict that at least 101 million people will experience temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). This includes approximately 50 million residents in France and 18 million in Germany, according to calculations by the AFP news agency.
On Thursday, maximum temperatures are anticipated to surpass 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) for over 380 million individuals across the continent, which constitutes nearly two-thirds of Europe's population. This analysis is based on forecasts from the German weather service and population projections from the Joint Research Centre for 2025.
The current heatwave has intensified since last weekend, with the German weather service reporting an increase in affected individuals from 94 million on Wednesday to the current figure. In addition to France and Germany, other countries facing extreme temperatures include Italy, where 48 million people are expected to be impacted, and the United Kingdom, with 38 million residents bracing for the heat.
Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Croatia are also experiencing the effects of this heatwave. In mainland France, around 63 million people are predicted to endure temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. The French weather agency has placed three-quarters of the country under a red alert for extreme heat, effective from midday Thursday until midday Friday.
The heat has already caused significant disruptions. In the usually temperate Brittany region of northwest France, a heat-related equipment failure resulted in power outages affecting tens of thousands of households, leaving residents without electric fans during the sweltering conditions.
Tragically, the extreme heat has also been linked to multiple fatalities. In the Paris region, a three-year-old boy was found dead in a car, marking the third child death related to heat exposure in the area this week. Authorities confirmed that the child was discovered in a vehicle outside his home in Saint-Gratien, a suburb of Paris.
In Spain, the heatwave has been associated with an estimated 212 deaths between Sunday and Wednesday, according to data from a public health institute. The MoMo monitoring system, which tracks daily death statistics and compares them to historical averages, reported an excess mortality of 98 deaths during the same period in 2025, which was the hottest summer on record for the country. Last year, Spain recorded 3,832 heat-related deaths between May 16 and September 30, representing an 87.6% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
This week, mainland Spain has seen its highest daily average temperatures for June since at least 1950, with Monday's average reaching 28.08 degrees Celsius, followed by 28.17 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. These days also recorded the highest average minimum temperatures for June, with values of 20.14 degrees Celsius and 19.81 degrees Celsius, respectively. Such high nighttime temperatures, referred to as "tropical nights," can significantly impact public health and make sleep difficult.
As the heatwave continues, parts of northern Spain, including Cantabria and the Basque Country, have been placed under the highest weather alerts, despite typically being less affected by extreme temperatures. In these regions, temperatures have soared past 40 degrees Celsius.
As the situation develops, authorities across Europe are urging residents to take precautions against the extreme heat, particularly vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children. Public health advisories are being issued to encourage individuals to stay hydrated, seek shade, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
With climate change contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves, experts warn that such extreme weather events may become more common in the future, prompting discussions on the need for enhanced preparedness and response strategies across Europe.