The heat has large parts of Europe firmly under control. Image: www.imago-images.de
The big sweating continues: the summer heat still has large parts of Europe firmly in its grip. Only in one country are people experiencing one of the most pleasant June months in decades. An overview.
June 22, 2026, 03:23June 22, 2026, 03:33
Germany
At the beginning of the week, the German Weather Service (DWD) warned of strong, in some areas even extreme, heat stress in the southwest of the country. At the same time, there could be significant thunderstorms that could move further south from the Thuringian Slate Mountains and the Lower Main during the course of the day.
The DWD weather experts had already announced on Sunday that the heat would extend to northern Germany again in the middle of the week and that the 40 degree mark could be reached locally in the southwest. However, that is still uncertain. The weather models provided indications of cooling “according to the current status, starting next weekend at the earliest,” it said.
Spain
The Iberian Peninsula is also suffering from sweltering heat these days. Spain has been experiencing its first official heat wave of the summer since Sunday. The weather authority AEMET warns of high health risks in large parts of the country. A total of 5,561 communities in which around 27 million people live – around 57 percent of the population – are affected.
Spain has been experiencing its first official heat wave of the summer since Sunday.Image: Keystone
While no warning was issued for practically the entire Spanish Mediterranean coast, the orange warning level was in effect in the southwest of Mallorca with the “Ballermann”, which is popular with German holidaymakers, at the weekend with temperatures of up to 39 degrees. A German holidaymaker collapsed while strolling through town in Palma on Saturday. The 57-year-old complained of breathing problems and lost consciousness and was taken to hospital, according to media reports that were confirmed by local police. However, the situation on the island should ease from Monday.
Portugal
Due to hot air masses from North Africa, high summer conditions are also prevailing in Portugal these days, with peak temperatures of up to 37 degrees inland. The regions of Bragança, Vila Real and Guarda are under special observation by the weather service IPMA. It shouldn’t be that hot on the coast, up to around 30 degrees.
Italy
The heat is currently also causing problems for millions of Italians. In many parts of the country, temperatures climbed to almost 40 degrees – sometimes up to ten degrees above the typical average values for the season. According to meteorologists, the Po Valley in the north of Italy, inland regions in the center of the country and the Mediterranean island of Sardinia are particularly affected. According to experts, the humid weather will last at least eight to ten days.
France
France is also badly affected by the heat wave, with temperatures around 40 degrees. On Monday, the heat warning level red applies to around half of the country – 49 departments. On Sunday, the French weather service Météo France announced the highest level for 35 departments, including the capital Paris. For these particularly affected areas, there was a ban on alcohol on public streets during the “Fête de la musique” celebrated on Sunday in order to relieve the burden on emergency services. In some places, the celebrations for the music festival were even canceled.
The temperatures are expected to climb even further in the next few days. As a result, more than 800 schools will remain closed and 1,800 institutions will adjust their timetables, as French Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced, according to the media.
Great Britain
There could also be heat records in Great Britain in the coming days. The British weather service Met Office warned on Sunday of “extreme heat” in parts of England and Wales until at least Thursday. On Wednesday and Thursday temperatures could climb up to 38 degrees in some places. According to the Met Office, it is quite possible that the previous June record of 35.6 degrees – measured in 1976 in Southampton, England – could be broken. In addition, tropical nights are expected where the temperature does not fall below 20 degrees. (sda/dpa)
Greece
While large parts of Central Europe are suffering from an early heat wave, Greece is experiencing one of the most pleasant June months in decades. In the Athens metropolitan area, temperatures have barely risen above 32 degrees since the beginning of the month.
However, the risk of fire is considerable: due to the dryness and wind, even a small fire can develop into a major fire within minutes. There were several smaller fires over the weekend, which were quickly brought under control with the help of firefighting aircraft and helicopters. Civil defense warns that there is still a high risk of fire.