Rome: Southern Europe is in the grip of a severe early-summer heatwave this weekend, with authorities across the continent issuing red alerts, closing outdoor workplaces, and opening public facilities as temperatures surge past 40°C (104°F) in several regions.
In Rome, thousands of tourists and Catholic pilgrims have been seeking relief at the city’s famed public fountains. The Italian capital, known as the Eternal City, has seen crowds clustering around its more than 2,500 fountains to cool off as unrelenting heat blankets the city.
Further south in Sicily, where peaks of 39°C (102°F) are forecast in Palermo and Naples, regional authorities have banned outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day. Northern Italy’s Liguria region has implemented a similar measure, and trade unions are pressing for a nationwide extension to protect workers.
In France’s southern port city of Marseille, where temperatures are approaching 40°C, officials have made public swimming pools free of charge to help residents cope with the Mediterranean heat.
The country’s national weather agency has warned of an extended period of high temperatures with potential health impacts, especially on vulnerable populations.
Portugal is bracing for one of the most severe spikes, with forecasts of 42°C (108°F) in Lisbon. Two-thirds of the country will be placed under high alert for both extreme heat and the elevated risk of wildfires, a persistent threat in recent years due to prolonged drought and high winds.
In Greece, the first major heatwave of the summer arrived on Thursday and brought immediate consequences. A fast-moving wildfire erupted in the coastal area of Palaia Fokaia, just 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Athens, destroying holiday homes and burning through forest land.
Spain, which has experienced a string of devastating summer wildfires in recent years, is also bracing for extreme conditions. Much of the Iberian Peninsula is expected to see temperatures exceeding 40°C starting Sunday, raising fears of a repeat of previous deadly heat events.
Scientists have consistently warned that rising global temperatures, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, are intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
