Europe braces for prolonged heatwave as temperatures approach 40C

Europe is grappling with a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring close to 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) on Sunday, June 21. The extreme conditions have triggered nationwide warnings, disrupted transportation networks, and placed a strain on wildlife and popular tourist destinations.

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I'm dressed all in white because it's so hot, and I'm carrying my little electric fan everywhere I go.

The heat surge, coinciding with the summer solstice, has raised concerns about an early and prolonged period of extreme weather. Italian authorities issued a red alert for eight cities, including Rome, Florence, and Milan. In Rome, pilgrims sought shade in St. Peter's Square during a papal prayer, while in Madrid, residents and tourists used fans and cold drinks to cope with the intense heat.

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strongly impacted

The heatwave is attributed to a mass of hot air moving north from the Sahara, trapped by a high-pressure system creating a "heat dome" over western and central Europe. Spain's weather agency warned of temperatures exceeding 40 C across large parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Mallorca, predicting the heatwave would last at least until midweek. In France, the national rail operator SNCF reported significant disruptions, canceling 71 intercity trains due to the risk of heat damage to overhead power lines and tracks. Germany also experienced high temperatures, with warnings of severe thunderstorms in eastern regions, which disrupted outdoor events in Berlin.

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Nestlings prefer to jump rather than let themselves die and literally cook in their nests.