Europe is reeling from the long-term impacts of a record-breaking heatwave, despite a weekend of cooler temperatures and thunderstorms offering temporary relief in several regions.

The extreme heat, which saw temperatures soar above 40°C in parts of France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, has left a trail of wildfires, historic droughts, and growing concerns about climate-driven extreme weather.

On Sunday, temperatures dropped significantly across western Europe, with Germany recording 24°C, Spain around 27°C, and Italy approximately 30°C. Belgium and Luxembourg saw heavy rainfall, breaking weeks of intense heat. However, the heatwave’s toll remains severe, with at least eight deaths reported—four in Spain, two in France, and two in Italy—prompting red alert warnings for wildfires and health risks in multiple countries.

Germany’s Wildfires Rage OnIn eastern Germany, a massive wildfire continues to burn uncontrollably along the Saxony-Brandenburg border, engulfing 2,100 hectares of the Gohrischheide nature reserve. Over 550 firefighters, emergency workers, and military personnel, supported by German army and police helicopters, are battling the blaze. A firefighting robot and reinforcements from Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg have been deployed, but officials in the Meißen district describe the situation as “particularly tense,” particularly on the Saxon side.

Spain’s Heat Drives Nordic Tourism SurgeIn Spain, the unrelenting Mediterranean heat has prompted a shift in holiday plans, with many Spaniards seeking cooler climates in northern Europe. Finland has seen a surge in Spanish visitors, with nearly 200,000 travelling there last year. This trend highlights a growing preference among southern Europeans for destinations offering respite from extreme summer temperatures, even as Spain expects up to 100 million tourists this year, drawn by its sunny climate.

Poland is facing one of its worst droughts in decades, with 300 hydrological stations reporting record-low water levels. The Vistula River, the country’s longest, has plummeted to just 13 centimetres at Warsaw’s Bulwary station. Drought alerts have been issued for all major rivers, including the Odra, Warta, Bug, and Narew, with central, southern, and eastern regions hit hardest. Meteorologists predict July rainfall will be less than half the normal amount, heightening wildfire risks as temperatures are expected to exceed 35°C with minimal precipitation.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that climate change is driving the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves and droughts across Europe. “Humans will have to adapt to more frequent and intense heatwaves,” said WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis, noting that a high-pressure system is trapping hot air from northern Africa over southern Europe. A recent report also highlighted a 42% increase in heat-related workplace deaths in the EU since 2000, underscoring the growing public health risks.

As Europe braces for more heatwaves forecast for July and August, the weekend’s cooler weather offers only a brief reprieve. With wildfires, droughts, and shifting tourism patterns signaling the realities of a warming planet, the continent faces an uncertain summer ahead. (ILKHA)