This is the second heat wave to hit Europe in less than a month, a phenomenon exacerbated by human-induced climate change, which makes extreme weather events more intense.

Hottest day in Portugal

In Portugal, the hottest day is expected to be 23 June, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

Only three inland areas of the north and centre have been placed on orange alert, where weak winds will accentuate the "thermal discomfort," added the IPMA.

In Spain

On June 22nd, Spain experienced the second day of a heat wave affecting mainly the Basque Country (north), where a red alert was declared when temperatures exceeded 40°C.

Spanish authorities asked the population to keep their windows closed and not to use appliances that generate heat.

On 21 June, temperatures exceeded 42°C in Andalusia (south), but also in the centre of the country.

The live broadcast of the World Cup match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in the centre of Madrid was cancelled due to the heat.

The Spanish meteorological agency Aemet warned of temperatures "between five and 10 degrees above average (...) Temperatures will drop on Thursday, but the heat will remain intense."

In France

In France, the country's meteorological agency placed 49 departments (half the country) on red alert, the highest level of alert, from midday onwards, due to the heat wave.

The Météo-France institute predicted, “the hottest day ever recorded in France.”

In total, more than 90% of the population will be affected by this heat wave. Thirteen people drowned while trying to cool off.

A total of 845 primary and secondary schools are closed on 22 June, while another 1,800, out of a total of 60,000 establishments, dismissed students in the early afternoon.

In Belgium

Further north, in Belgium, this week could be “the hottest ever recorded in Belgium,” with an average temperature of over 27°C, said the head of forecasts at the IRM meteorological institute, David Dehenauw.

Some peak-hour trains were cancelled on 22 and 23 June, said SNCB, the Belgian railway company.

In the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, temperatures could rise to 37°C by the end of the week, according to local forecasts.

A “yellow alert” is in effect across the country due to “unpleasant and oppressive heat.”

In Germany

The weekend in Germany was marked by local storms, notably in central Hesse, where a large amount of hail fell.

In the village of Braunfels-Philippstein, a snowplough even had to clear streets blocked by hail, which reached the firefighters' knees, according to the France-Presse news agency. The hailstorm caused material damage.

The heat is not yet being felt very intensely, but the 40°C mark could be exceeded on Thursday and Friday in the west and southwest of the state.

Schools, particularly in the southwest (Baden-Württemberg), are implementing "Hitzefrei," the early termination of classes when the thermometer exceeds 25°C.

In the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, a rare red alert for "extreme heat," corresponding to the maximum level, has been declared for 24 and 25 June in a part of the south of the country, announced the British meteorological agency Met Office.

"Maximum temperatures in the shade will exceed 37°C and may even reach 38°C or 40°C in some places" in this area, which includes London, Birmingham, and Cardiff, Wales, with "very hot and humid nights [that] will reduce people's ability to recover."

England is facing an intense and "unprecedented" heatwave, warned University of Reading atmospheric science expert Akshay Deoras, fearing "widespread repercussions on public health, infrastructure, and essential services."

In Switzerland

In Switzerland, the heat is very likely to continue until next weekend, with temperatures rising slightly from 23 June, peaking in the second half of the week, according to MétéoSuisse.

In Austria

The same trend is seen in Austria, where the heat wave is expected to continue throughout the week, with temperatures exceeding 35°C in much of the country, according to the Austrian meteorological service.