Europe faces first major heatwave of summer

RTÉ News​

28-06-2025

Countries around Europe are facing the first major heatwave of the summer, with the Spanish weather agency AEMET warning of extreme temperatures exceeding 40C across much of the country this weekend.
In Madrid the usually busy streets are dotted with residents and tourists seeking relief, some carrying portable fans, others resting in the shade or under water sprinklers installed in public areas.
Swings hang empty in sun-scorched playgrounds, while vendors do brisk business selling cold drinks under the blazing sun.
For residents, the heat has become a daily struggle. "Honestly, it's tough," says Marina, a 22-year-old marketing intern. "There's no sea here, barely any pools in Madrid. You sweat so much, it's just unpleasant."
Janeth, a 47-year-old street vendor, describes the heat as "exhausting" and says it forced her to change jobs.
"My previous work was unbearable. I even felt dizzy from the heat"
As the sun reflects off the city's buildings and umbrellas bloom across plazas, the early arrival of such extreme heat has taken many by surprise.
"It always gets hot in Madrid," Marina adds, "but for it to be this intense in June? That's shocking."
Meanwhile, Barcelona City Council has activated in preventive phase, until 15 September, its Heat Plan and the Climate Shelter Network to make municipal resources and air-conditioned spaces available to citizens during this period.
Included in this space are the children's play areas with water in public parks.
People in Greece advised to stay indoors
Temperatures in Greece yesterday surpassed 40C with authorities advising the public to stay indoors.
At the Acropolis in Athens scores of tourists endured the heat with the help of hats, fans and umbrellas while air-conditioned centres were made available to the public to find refuge until the evening.
Authorities set up a hotline for anyone requiring medical advice due to the heat.
They also advised residents not to throw out rubbish during peak heat hours in the middle of the day, to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, and to restrict their movements.
Authorities also banned outdoor work for builders and delivery staff from 9am to 2pm local time, and encouraged remote working.
At the city's homeless animal shelter four-legged friends enjoyed dips in the dog pool to keep cool.
The fire brigade said it was on standby and warned of a high risk of fires in central and southern Greece.
On Thursday, a wildfire in a coastal town south of Athens damaged homes.
Meteorologists said temperatures will start to dip on the weekend.
Greece has often experienced hot and dry summers, but longer and more severe heatwaves have been more frequent in recent years along with wildfires amid a changing climate.
In the UK, temperatures could hit 30C amid the second amber heat health alert in two weeks.
Yesterday, temperatures reached 29C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, and the weather is forecast to climb over the next couple of days, according to the Met Office.
It comes as a second amber heat health alert in two weeks came into force yesterday.
The alert, which covers London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England, will last until 6pm on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Ireland is not expected to be affected by the heatwave.
Cloudy, damp and humid conditions will linger this afternoon further south and east with highest temperatures of 17 to 22C expected.