SNCF Cancels 71 Trains as Europe Heatwave Pushes Temperatures Toward 40C
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 21
SNCF Cancels 71 Trains as Europe Heatwave Pushes Temperatures Toward 40C
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 21
Summary
SNCF halted 71 intercity trains on key French routes until Monday after extreme heat threatened overhead power lines and caused tracks to expand.
40C temperatures across western and central Europe are being driven by Saharan air and an African anticyclone that formed a heat dome, with Spain warning the heatwave will last at least until midweek.
Eight Italian cities including Milan, Florence and Turin were placed under red alert, while France mobilized 3,500 rail staff and 2,000 repair workers as officials urged vulnerable passengers to delay travel.
38C heat in Germany was followed by severe thunderstorms that disrupted Berlin events, and a Belgian wildlife rescue center said it had taken in about 150 heat-stressed animals in recent days.
The early-summer surge is reinforcing warnings that European heatwaves are arriving sooner and growing more intense as climate change accelerates.
Are European nations prepared for the cascading system failures caused by recurring extreme heatwaves?
With a 'Super El Niño' fueling climate change, is this summer a preview of Europe's dangerously hot new normal?
As Europe heat-proofs its cities, how can it avoid creating climate-resilient havens exclusively for the wealthy?
France’s Railways Buckle Under Record June 2026 Heatwave: Infrastructure, Health, and Climate Risks Exposed
Overview
In June 2026, France faced its second major heatwave of the year, with temperatures soaring to nearly 40°C. This extreme heat, intensified by the summer solstice, led authorities to issue red alerts for 35 departments, affecting 26 million people. The rising temperatures caused visible stress across the country, especially in the transport sector, where France’s rail system suffered significant disruptions. These events highlight how repeated and intense heatwaves are straining public infrastructure and daily life, underscoring the urgent need for adaptation as climate change drives more frequent extreme weather.