Europe Shuts 845 Schools and Cuts Trains as Heatwave Pushes Temperatures Above 40C
Updated
Updated · FRANCE 24 English · Jun 22
Europe Shuts 845 Schools and Cuts Trains as Heatwave Pushes Temperatures Above 40C
3 articles · Updated · FRANCE 24 English · Jun 22
Summary
France put 49 of 96 mainland departments on red alert Monday, closed 845 schools and allowed 1,800 more to dismiss students early as the heatwave intensified.
Temperatures already topped 40C in parts of France, where officials in Gironde linked the weekend deaths of three people aged 80 to 95 partly to the heat.
Belgium and France cut rail services to limit heat-related breakdowns, while Spain warned of up to 44C through Wednesday and canceled some public events.
Britain could reach 38-39C this week, with meteorologists saying the June record of 35.6C may be broken by more than 2C after May records also fell.
Researchers said human-driven climate change is amplifying the unusually early heat, and French forecasters warned it could rival the deadly August 2003 episode that killed nearly 15,000 people.
France planned for heat after 15,000 deaths in 2003. Why is Europe still so unprepared for this 'new normal'?
As cities become deadly heat islands, are green makeovers a luxury or our only chance for survival?
Extreme Heat Hits Western Europe in June 2026: Impacts, Systemic Risks, and Adaptation Imperatives
Overview
In June 2026, Western Europe is facing an unusually intense and early heatwave, with the sun at its strongest and UV levels exceptionally high. This extreme heat is already disrupting critical infrastructure and is expected to last for several more days. In response, European governments have quickly put emergency measures in place, including wildfire monitoring, public health advisories, and actions to protect vital infrastructure. These efforts aim to reduce the immediate impacts of the heatwave and keep people safe, highlighting the urgent need for both immediate action and long-term adaptation to more frequent extreme weather events.