Europe is currently experiencing extreme temperatures, with some regions surpassing 40 degrees Celsius. Spain and Portugal are among the hardest-hit countries, where thermometers have reached 46 degrees. Even Germany, Italy, and the UK are feeling the effects of the so-called ‘heat dome.’ This phenomenon, also known as a ‘thermal dome,’ occurs when an area of high pressure remains over a region for days or even weeks, trapping hot air like the lid of a pot or the top of a pizza oven. The result is prolonged exposure to extreme heat that dries out the ground and intensifies temperatures further.
Authorities across Europe have issued warnings for vulnerable groups, while fire departments remain on high alert due to the increased risk of wildfires. In Portugal, a temperature of 46.6°C was recorded, possibly setting a new national June record. Italy’s Tuscany region has seen a 20% increase in hospital admissions, prompting officials to advise residents to stay indoors between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
France is facing unprecedented conditions, with heatwave alerts issued for the first time and 88% of its regions under orange-level warnings. The government has called for adjustments to working hours to protect employees from the heat, and 200 public schools will remain closed until Tuesday. Germany is also on high alert, with drought and heat increasing the risk of forest fires. Several German cities have imposed restrictions on water usage as temperatures approach 40°C.
Experts refer to the ‘heat dome’ as a ‘silent killer’ because of its significant impact on mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are at heightened risk. Scientists warn that these events will become more frequent as global temperatures rise. According to climate experts, Europe is already 2°C warmer than pre-industrial times and is warming faster than any other continent.
“We must turn to preventive, rapid, and coordinated actions to mitigate climate change and adapt to it. The tools exist. The data are clear. What is missing is a sense of urgency,” warned Madeleine Thomson of the Wellcome Trust in an interview with Sky News.
The main cause behind this trend appears to be greenhouse gases released from burning fossil fuels, which trap more heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and raise average temperatures globally.