Europe sizzles and the Eiffel Tower's summit shuts down
Health warnings remained in effect in several countries. The abnormally hot weather 'is exposing millions of Europeans to high heat stress' with temperatures more typical of July and August, said Samantha Burgess of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
Spain: Record temperatures
Barcelona's Fabra Observatory reported an average temperature for last month of 26 C (78 F), breaking records since the data began in 1914. It said a single-day high of 37.9 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) for June was recorded Monday. Barcelona is usually spared the worst heat in Spain, thanks to its location between hills and the Mediterranean.
Ramón Pascual, a delegate for Spain's weather service in Barcelona, told The Associated Press the "very intense heat wave' is clearly linked to global warming.
Pascual said inhabitants of the Mediterranean region are not being helped by the rising sea temperatures, which greatly reduce any cooling effects of a nearby body of water. Spain's weather service said recent surface temperatures for the Mediterranean near the Balearic Islands are 5 to 6 degrees Celsius higher than average.
Europe sizzles and the Eiffel Tower's summit closes.
Spain's national average for June of 23.6 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit) was 0.8 C hotter than the previous hottest June in 2017.
Madrid was forecast to reach 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit).
'We're just surviving,' said Miguel Sopera, 63. 'At night it's impossible due to the terrible heat.'
France: Closed schools
Temperatures were forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Paris. National weather agency Météo-France placed several departments under the highest red alert. More than 1,300 schools were partially or fully closed.
Visitors to the Eiffel Tower without tickets were told to postpone their visits as the summit was closed until Thursday for "everyone's comfort and safety.'
Climate experts warn that future summers are likely to be hotter than any recorded to date, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius expected every year by 2100.
Italy: A blackout
Italy's health ministry said 17 of the country's 27 major cities were experiencing a heat wave.
In Florence, where temperatures reached 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, parts of the city center experienced a blackout following a surge in electricity demand. Backup systems restored power, energy company Enel said.
Near Bologna, the 46-year-old owner of a construction company collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, state-run RAI reported. An autopsy was being conducted but heat was suspected.
The Netherlands: Water gun fight
In the Dutch town of Soest, first responders said they were bringing a fire hose to an evening water gun fight.
'Bring your water pistol and swimming clothes with you, because you're guaranteed to get soaked!' the firefighters said on social media.
Portugal: A record high
The weather service in a statement Monday night confirmed the highest single temperature ever recorded in mainland Portugal for the month of June at 46.6 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) on June 29 in the town of Mora, west of Lisbon.
Turkey: Wildfires
Firefighters across Turkey tried to contain wildfires that have forced the evacuation of some 50,000 residents for the third consecutive day.
Czech Republic: Polar bears
Temperatures were expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) by Wednesday in parts of the Czech Republic.
The Prague zoo distributed up to 10 metric tons of ice, with special attention given to polar bears. Zoo director Miroslav Bobek said twin brother bears Aleut and Gregor discovered frozen pieces of squid.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Sun
30 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Flash floods like one that swept through Texas nation's top storm-related killer
Published Jul 05, 2025 • 3 minute read A woman falls while climbing with others over debris on a bridge atop the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Ingram, Texas. Photo by Julio Cortez / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The monstrous, swift-moving flood that swept through the Hill Country of Texas on Friday, killing at least 24 people and leaving more people missing, was a flash flood, the nation's top storm-related killer. Among those missing are more than 20 girls attending a summer camp. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Authorities said more than 230 people had been rescued as of late Friday, including more than 160 by helicopter. According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood is flooding that begins within six hours, and often in as little as three hours, of heavy rainfall. Waters rise so quickly that people are caught off guard, according to the weather service. Many people run into trouble while traveling. If at home or work, the water can rise so quickly people are trapped before they have time to think about escape. That is just what happened to residents along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County and the surrounding area after at least 10 inches (25 centimeters) poured from the sky early Friday morning. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Fast-moving waters along the river rose 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes before dawn Friday, washing away homes and vehicles. The danger was not over as more heavy rains were expected Saturday and flash flood warnings and flood watches remained in effect for parts of central Texas. There was some advance notice in Texas On Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch, estimating rising water of up to 7 inches (17 centimeters) in spots. A 'watch' means conditions are favorable for a flood and people should be prepared, but hazardous conditions might not develop. But the watch was upgraded to a flood warning overnight, a notice that impacted 30,000 people. A warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring, the weather service says. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Lt,. Gov. Dan Patrick said the potential for heavy rain and flooding covered a large area and 'everything was done to give them a heads-up that you could have heavy rain.' However, when asked about how people were notified in Kerr County so that they could get to safety, Judge Rob Kelly, the county's chief elected official, said: 'We do not have a warning system.' When reporters pushed on why more precautions weren't taken, Kelly responded: 'Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming.' Flash floods can be deadly Last year, 145 people died in flash floods, according to the weather service. On average over the past 30 years, floods have claimed 127 lives annually. Floods trap people in vehicles Nearly half of all flood-related fatalities involve vehicles. Flood deaths affect all age groups. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Many people don't realize that a car becomes difficult to control in just 6 inches (15 centimeters) of water and can be swept away in as little as 18 inches (46 centimeters). So instead of finding a detour, too often people try to drive through water at underpasses or other low-lying areas. Flash floods can happen anywhere It can happen anywhere, according to the weather service, which says that 'the normally tranquil streams and creeks in your neighborhood can become raging torrents if heavy rain falls overhead.' An area can be flooded even without rain — if it's downstream of a torrential rainstorm and a swollen stream heads its way. Hurricanes, tropical storms, non-cyclonic weather systems carrying heavy rain and dam failures are some weather events that can cause flash flooding. They can happen in rural areas or in large cities. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Canada Ontario Canada Other Sports Editorials
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Toronto Star
Western Balkans face severe drought and water restrictions during heatwave
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The Western Balkans faces a severe drought after a heatwave hit the region, disrupting daily life and creating issues with agriculture and power. Temperatures on Thursday in central Albania reached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and meteorologists warned there would be scarce rain until September. Rivers are almost dry due to a lack of rainfall during winter and spring.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Western Balkans face severe drought and water restrictions during heatwave
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The Western Balkans faces a severe drought after a heatwave hit the region, disrupting daily life and creating issues with agriculture and power. Temperatures on Thursday in central Albania reached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and meteorologists warned there would be scarce rain until September. Rivers are almost dry due to a lack of rainfall during winter and spring. The soaring temperatures have pushed Albanian authorities to assist the local agriculture with irrigation networks. A project to take water from the northern Mat river to help some 4,000 hectares (9,885 acres) of agricultural land in the area was completed on Tuesday. There also has been a negative impact on Albania's power production, which mostly comes from hydropower stations in the country's north. The national power corporation spent up to 60 million Euro ($70 million) to import energy in the first half of this year. Serbia's state meteorological institute has warned that 'extreme drought' is affecting the country's crops while water levels in rivers and lakes have dropped. Small towns and villages throughout Serbia also face restrictions on drinking water. In Kosovo, a water shortage closed an open-air pool in the capital of Pristina used by people to cool off in the summer heat. The Germia swimming pool on the city's outskirts was built in the late 1980s as a recreational destination and is considered one of the biggest on the continent. At this time last year the pool had between 4,000 and 5,000 visitors daily. Germia Park, renowned for its natural beauty and recreation, is located among hills and mountains that provide the pool's natural water resources. But this year, the pool's staff could not access the 20,000 cubic meters (5.3 million gallons) of water needed. In previous years, it has taken six days to fill the pool, but this year will take more than three weeks because of the drought, manager Bardh Krasniqi said. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. 'Due to the strong heatwave that is currently affecting the country and also the region, unfortunately we have not been able to open the largest pool in the country,' Krasniqi said. As the temperature was set to reach 35 C (95 F) Thursday, the Health Institute urged people to stay away from direct sun and warned children, elderly people and anyone who was ill to stay home. During the past week's heatwave in Europe scorching temperatures reached as high as 46.6 C (115.9F) in Mora, Portugal. Wildfires are frequent in the region during the hot, dry summers. ___ Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia, and Florent Bajrami in Pristina, Kosovo, contributed.
