European heatwave - latest updates as red alerts and record temperatures continue

Authorities warn of heightened risk of fires from today

Huge wildfire rages on La Palma forcing thousands to evacuate

Firefighters battled a blaze in Rhodes as a new heatwave loomed over Greece, threatening to stoke tinderbox conditions across the country.

Greek meteorological service had warned of a heightened risk of fires from Thursday, as the country recovered from the first major heatwave of the summer.

A second heatwave was forecast to start on Thursday, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas, and rising further on Friday to a maximum of 44C.

Thousands have also been evacuated in the Canary Islands and Switzerland in recent days, as southern Europe is gripped by ongoing wildfires and extreme heat caused by the fossil-fuel-driven climate crisis.

Fires are common in Greece, but hotter, drier and windy summers have turned the Mediterranean into a wildfire hotspot in recent years.

Temperature records were shattered in Rome and Catalonia on Wednesday as most of Italy’s big cities were placed under a red alert.

Key Points

• New heatwave looms over Greece
• How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?
• Why is there no UK heatwave as Europe swelters during Charon?
• Second heatwave expected to hit Greece today

[20 July 2023 10:00 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

In recent years, climate change and rising global temperatures have triggered record-breaking heatwaves across the world - with the latest forecast showing an increase in temperatures across southern Europe this week.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has warned that Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland may see extreme conditions.

The impact of the heatwave has already led to raging wildfires in Spain which has prompted evacuations.

Greece has also shut down the ancient Acropolis during the hottest part of the day, while Italy has issued hot weather red alerts for many major cities.

[20 July 2023 09:36 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Europe heatwave: Simon Calder outlines holidaymakers’ cancellation rights during record-breaking temperatures

Simon Calder has outlined holidaymakers’ cancellation rights if they do not wish to travel in record-breaking temperatures across Europe.

It comes after the Foreign Office (FCDO) issued a warning for people travelling to Spain, Italy and Greece, that extreme temperarures are affecting these regions.

FCDO officials advised travellers to check information on hottest areas and to seek advice on how to take care in the heat.

If holidaymakers decide not to travel due to the heat normal terms and conditions apply and they will not be able to cancel without penalty, The Independent travel correspondent explained.

[20 July 2023 08:30 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has forecast the heatwave should intensify by mid-week, with a spokeswoman telling The Independent the “above normal temperatures” of the past week are expected to continue over the next week.

Ele Hands, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, similarly told The Independent the heatwave across southern Europe and northern Africa is expected to “persist and slowly intensify” throughout the coming week, with the focus gradually moving towards southeast Europe. The forecaster said many parts of Greece, Turkey, southern Spain, and Italy and its surrounding islands are set to reach temperatures as high as 45C.

[20 July 2023 08:02 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Wildfires in Greece largely contained as new heatwave looms

Wildfires across Greece were largely contained on Thursday after razing swathes of forest and dozens of homes for days, though a new heatwave loomed, threatening to stoke tinderbox conditions across the country.

A fire west of Athens which prompted mass evacuations earlier in the week was contained, a fire brigade official said. Firefighters, backed with air water bombers, remained on site in case of a resurgence of flames.

On the island of Rhodes, firefighters continued to battle a blaze that had erupted in a densely wooded mountainous area and forced people to flee.

Greek meteorological service had warned of a heightened risk of fires from Thursday, as the country recovered from the first major heatwave of the summer.

A second heatwave was forecast to start on Thursday, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas, and rising further on Friday to a maximum of 44C.

Land and aerial firefighting forces will continue preventive patrolling in forests across Greece amid difficult conditions, authorities said late on Wednesday.

Fires are common in Greece, but hotter, drier and windy summers have turned the Mediterranean into a wildfire hotspot in recent years.

(AFP via Getty Images)

[20 July 2023 07:38 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Why is there no UK heatwave as Europe swelters during Charon?

A deadly heatwave sweeping across Europe with temperatures forecast to shatter records in the coming days stands in complete contrast to the weather faced by the United Kingdom.

The Mediterranean region grapples with soaring heat that could touch a new European record as soon as this week.

Temperatures are expected to go beyond 40C in parts of Spain and Italy in the coming days.

Spain, Italy and Greece have been experiencing scorching temperatures for several days already, damaging agriculture and leaving tourists scurrying for shade.

[20 July 2023 07:30 · Stuti Mishra]

Europe is the fastest-heating continent in the world due to climate crisis

Amid blistering heatwaves this year and last, concerns over the rapid warming of Europe due to the climate crisis have mounted.

Europe is the fastest-heating continent in the world, according to a report published this year by the World Meteorological Organisation and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.

The continent has been heating twice as fast as the global average for the last four decades.

[20 July 2023 07:15 · Stuti Mishra]

2023 is set to be hottest on record

This year is set to be the hottest on record for Earth, scientists said, amid blistering heatwaves across the northern hemisphere and global temperature records being shattered one after another.

An analysis published by Berkley Earth in July found there to be a more than 80 per cent chance of 2023 being the hottest year on record.

[20 July 2023 07:00 · Stuti Mishra]

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

Europe is set to continue to bake under extreme heat for weeks as global temperatures soar towards alarming highs with records expected to be broken.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has forecast the heatwave should intensify by mid-week, with a spokeswoman telling The Independent the “above normal temperatures” of the past week are expected to continue over the next week.

My colleague Tara Cobham has more:

[20 July 2023 06:35 · Stuti Mishra]

Watch: Greek police free dog from garden as wildfires rage close to Athens

Greek police kicked open a gate to a free a dog that was threatened by approaching wildfire.

The dog was trapped in a garden in Mandra, a town on the outskirts of Athens, but police managed to free it from behind a locked gate.

“We do not leave animals helpless, tethered or caged... Moments from the release of our four-legged friend from a plot in Mandra,” Greek police wrote on Twitter.

Watch here:

[20 July 2023 06:26 · Stuti Mishra]

Second heatwave expected to hit Greece today

Another heatwave is expected in Greece today that is likely to further stoke tinderbox conditions across the country as wildfires burned for a third day west of the Athens.

The new heatwave can lead to temperatures soaring as high as 44C in parts of the country.

Wildfires have destroying forests and homes and spurring evacuations, as authorities braced for a new heatwave.

Emergency workers continued to try to contain wildfires with strong winds in recent days hindering efforts.