A Spanish city has recorded its highest-ever June temperature at 46°C, as a severe heatwave continues to sweep across much of Europe. Authorities in several countries have issued health alerts amid the extreme temperatures. The southern region of Spain has been hardest hit, with temperatures in the mid-40s Celsius reported in Seville and surrounding areas.
On Saturday, June 28, the town of El Granado in southern Spain broke the national June heat record, reaching 46°C, which the Spanish National Meteorological Agency (AEMET) said could make this the hottest June on record in the area.
According to AEMET, the previous June temperature record of 45.2°C was set in Seville in 1965. On the first day of the heatwave, which is expected to last through July 1, over 100 weather stations recorded temperatures exceeding 40°C.
Multiple Cities Hit 40°C+
Several other Spanish cities also recorded extreme temperatures, including:
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44°C in Montoro
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43.9°C in Fuentes de Andalucía
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43.5°C in Morón de la Frontera and Alconchel
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43.4°C in Andújar
Red-level heat alerts have been issued in parts of Portugal, Italy, and Croatia, while yellow warnings have been declared across Spain, France, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
In Barcelona, a street cleaner died while working during peak heat on Saturday, prompting an investigation by local authorities. In Italy, emergency departments across the country reported a rise in heatstroke cases, primarily affecting the elderly, cancer patients, and the homeless. Hospitals in Naples have set up special treatment routes for heatstroke patients to ensure rapid access to cold water therapy.
The northern Italian city of Bologna opened seven emergency shelters equipped with air conditioning and drinking water. In Rome, public swimming pools have been made free for those aged 70 and over.
In Lisbon, Portugal, a pharmacist told Reuters that although residents were urged to stay indoors during peak heat hours, cases of heatstroke and sunburn were still being reported.
Heat Hits Balkans and Western Europe
The intense heat has also spread across the Western Balkans, where temperatures have exceeded 40°C. Serbia recorded its highest June temperature ever since measurements began in the 19th century, while Slovenia also logged its highest June temperature on record on Saturday.
In North Macedonia, temperatures reached 42°C on June 27, with the heat expected to persist into mid-week. Rising temperatures are forecast for France, Germany, Italy, and the UK in the coming days.
The UK has issued yellow and amber alerts for parts of the country, and London is expected to hit 35°C on June 30.
High Pressure Driving the Heatwave
The extreme heat is being driven by a large high-pressure system, where dry air sinks and warms over time. As this pattern persists, temperatures continue to climb. The system is expected to move eastward in the coming days, pushing the highest temperatures further north and east.
Scientists from World Weather Attribution, who study the links between climate change and extreme weather, report that June heatwaves exceeding 28°C for three consecutive days are now 10 times more likely to occur than they were before the industrial era.
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