A SCORCHING heatwave is poised to engulf parts of Europe, prompting authorities to issue red warnings for France, Italy, and Portugal, while holidaymakers are urged to take precautions. Meteorologists attribute the searing conditions to a high-pressure system moving in from Africa. Temperatures are projected to soar to 42°C in some regions, raising concerns for travellers from the UK.
France has sounded the alarm with a “red alert” for four southern regions, empowering local officials to cancel events and shutter public facilities as needed. Weather presenter Laura Tobin, speaking on Good Morning Britain, cautioned travellers about the upcoming heatwave: “We have another heatwave building through parts of Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy… We’re looking at high thirties and yet again climbing into the low forties, particularly through western parts.”
The Foreign Office has issued advisories for European-bound travellers, emphasising the need to stay hydrated, seek shade, and wear appropriate clothing. Wildfires have already ravaged several Mediterranean areas. In a tragic development, firefighters discovered 18 bodies amidst a major blaze in the Avanta area of Alexandroupolis. At the same time, firefighters grappled with multiple wildfires across Greece, fuelled by powerful gale-force winds.
European Union officials point to climate change as a driving force behind the escalating frequency and intensity of wildfires in the region. The year 2022 ranked as the second-worst for wildfire damage on record, following the devastating 2017 wildfires in Greece. Meanwhile, Spain’s Basque Country, not typically subject to such extreme temperatures, is under alert for wildfires, with forecasts indicating temperatures could reach 42°C.
While Europe braces for the heatwave’s impact, the UK anticipates a cooler August Bank Holiday weekend, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures around 22°C. The weather agency expects a mix of sunshine and scattered showers. Stephen Dixon, a Met Office spokesperson, mentioned that low-pressure systems could usher in intermittent showers, especially in the north. Though Monday’s forecast remains uncertain, slightly below-average temperatures are anticipated.
As Europe confronts the scorching heatwave and the looming threat of wildfires, experts and authorities emphasise the importance of vigilance, preparedness, and acknowledging the wider context of climate change driving these extreme weather patterns.
