Europe is bracing for another day of intense heat as a record-breaking heatwave continues to sweep across the continent, leaving thousands without electricity and driving a surge in demand for cooling equipment.
Experts say the extreme temperatures are being fuelled by atmospheric conditions that trap hot air over regions for extended periods, a phenomenon intensified by global warming.
France recorded its hottest national temperature indicator since records began in 1947, reaching 29.8°C on Tuesday. Authorities expanded the highest-level heat alert to four additional departments on Wednesday, bringing the total number of people affected to around 44 million. Combined with areas under orange alert, more than 90 per cent of the French population is now exposed to extreme temperatures.
Temperatures ranging between 39°C and 41°C are expected across large parts of the country, from Brittany and the Paris region to the southwest.
The heatwave triggered France’s first major power outage of the current extreme weather spell after a transformer malfunction linked to high temperatures cut electricity to approximately 68,000 households in the northwestern Finistere department. While repair crews worked overnight, officials said full restoration of power was unlikely before the end of Wednesday.
At the peak of the disruption, as many as 106,000 customers were without electricity, highlighting the strain that prolonged heat places on infrastructure originally designed for a cooler climate.
Demand for cooling appliances has soared. Retailers reported a sharp increase in sales of fans and air conditioners as residents seek relief from the heat. Electricians across the country have also been inundated with requests for urgent air-conditioning installations.
“It’s difficult to live alone and without air conditioning,” said Martine Belloc, a 62-year-old retiree in Bordeaux, who sought refuge at a coworking space opened to elderly residents during the heatwave.
In Paris, tourists also struggled with the conditions.
“Visiting Paris in this heat is awful,” said John Beeler, a 45-year-old American engineer.
“We’re suffocating in the streets, we’re suffocating in the subway and we’re even suffocating in our rental,” he added, noting that he and his wife planned to move into an air-conditioned hotel room.
Elsewhere in Europe, Italy issued red heatwave alerts for 16 cities, including Milan and Rome, while eastern European countries prepared for rising temperatures in the coming days.
Poland has warned that temperatures could challenge its national record of 40.2°C, set in 1921, while Croatia, Hungary and the Netherlands have also issued high-level heat alerts.
Scientists said the ongoing heatwave has been “significantly exacerbated by human-induced climate change”, estimating that temperatures would otherwise have been 2°C to 4°C lower.
Although Spain is expected to experience some cooling from Wednesday, much of western Europe is likely to remain under intense heat through the end of the week.
Authorities across the region have introduced emergency measures. Amsterdam is offering free access to selected outdoor pools for residents with city passes, while the Dutch rail network plans to reduce services on some routes.
In Britain, schools are adapting to the extreme conditions.
“I think it’s fair to say that the school estate in the UK is not well prepared for this level of heat,” said James Bowen, assistant general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers.
Several major tourist attractions, including the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower, have reduced visiting hours, while Brussels’ iconic Atomium will close earlier than usual from Wednesday through Friday to protect visitors and staff from the extreme temperatures.
