A relentless heatwave is set to persist across Europe throughout the weekend, as extreme temperatures continue to grip the continent. Recent days have seen record-shattering heat recorded in the UK, France, and Germany, forcing the cancellation of events, the restriction of alcohol sales, and an increase in emergency service callouts.
In France, authorities in Paris have implemented a ban on public alcohol consumption for the weekend, and the city’s Pride March, originally set for Saturday, has been postponed. Furthermore, the Louvre museum and the Eiffel Tower are maintaining early closing times. The French capital reached 39°C, driving locals and tourists to seek refuge in parks and along the city’s canals. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire confirmed a tragic drowning incident in the Canal Saint-Martin on Friday night, while warning citizens about the dangers of swimming in unauthorized areas.
According to Météo-France, 37 departments remain under a red heat alert on Saturday, with that number expected to drop to 24 by Sunday. France previously marked its hottest day on record this past Wednesday, featuring an average 24-hour temperature of 30°C.
Large portions of Germany are also under heat warnings. On Friday, the western city of Saarbrücken reported a temperature of 41.3°C, which the German Weather Service described as the highest ever recorded in the country. Official Uwe Baumgarten indicated that even higher temperatures could be reached on Saturday.
The United Kingdom likewise experienced its hottest June day on record this past Friday. The Met Office reported that provisional data shows the village of Santon Downham in Suffolk reached 37.3°C. Amber heat warnings remain in effect for parts of eastern and southeast England throughout Saturday.
Spain continues to battle intense heat, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several locations. The national weather agency anticipates that conditions will remain warmer than average into the coming week, particularly across the southern, central, and western mainland regions.
