23/06/2026 16:37 - Internacionales
| Country | Situation | Temperatures |
|---|---|---|
| France | More than half of its 96 regions on red alert. 40 deaths | Above 41°C |
| United Kingdom | Unusual red alert for June 25-26 | Expected minimum 38°C (June record) |
| Spain | World Cup fan zone closed in Madrid | Nights above 30°C in Almería |
| Italy | Red alert level 3 in 8 cities | Up to 40-42°C |
France is experiencing one of the worst heatwaves recorded in its history. At least 40 people have died according to authorities, as the country faces temperatures exceeding 41 degrees Celsius in several locations.
The French meteorological service Météo-France made an alarming comparison: "This heatwave will be comparable in severity to August 2003, which caused nearly 15,000 deaths." Four French locations have already recorded all-time high temperatures for any month of the year.
In France, a red alert is the highest level of weather warning. It is activated when temperatures reach exceptional and dangerous levels for public health, requiring extraordinary protective measures.
The UK Met Office issued an unusual red alert for extreme heat for June 25 and 26, 2026.
Temperatures are expected to reach at least 38°C on Wednesday, which would shatter the June record of 35.6°C that has stood since 1976.
Key fact: Humidity levels will be high, making the heat index feel even more suffocating.
The country will also experience "tropical nights", where temperatures won't drop below 20°C. Nighttime heat is particularly dangerous because it prevents the body from recovering.
In Spain, temperatures are also exceeding 38°C across large areas, with tropical nights making the situation worse.
Madrid closed its World Cup fan zone, equipped with giant screens for watching matches, due to health risks for attendees.
On the coast of Almería, temperatures from Sunday to Monday night never dropped below 30°C, according to the Spanish meteorological service AEMET.
The main phenomenon is a warm air dome that has settled over the European continent for the second time in two months.
Heat domes are persistent high-pressure systems that act like a lid, trapping hot air and pushing it downward.
This situation coincides with the strengthening of El Niño in the tropical Pacific, a climate pattern that increases the frequency and intensity of extreme heatwaves.
Scientists warn these phenomena are becoming more intense and frequent due to burning fossil fuels.
of European homes have air conditioning
Compared to 90% in the United States
deaths from extreme heat in the last 4 years
According to the World Health Organization
countries with active alerts
From Ireland to Greece
Unlike hurricanes or floods, extreme heat leaves no visible destruction, but it is the most lethal type of extreme weather. Extreme temperatures combined with high humidity make the body's natural cooling mechanisms less effective.
Scientists warn: Extreme heatwaves will become increasingly frequent as the planet continues to warm. Human-caused climate change "overloads the atmosphere with additional heat and makes extreme temperatures much more intense than they would have been in the past."
Sources: CNN en Español, Météo-France, AEMET (Spain), UK Met Office, World Health Organization.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
