Warnings for heat and storms

Across much of Europe, heatwaves and severe weather warnings have intensified this week, with southern regions experiencing extreme conditions while others remain relatively unaffected. In Spain, the third heatwave of the summer has already begun, affecting nearly the entire mainland and the Balearic Islands. The Spanish State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, reports that temperatures could reach up to 44 degrees Celsius in the east and south, with twelve regions under weather alerts due to both heat and potential heavy thunderstorms. Fire danger remains high, exacerbated by the combination of heat and extreme drought. A major forest fire near Madrid has forced hundreds of firefighters into action, leading to temporary evacuations in over twenty villages. The impact of such extreme weather is being felt across multiple countries. In Greece, the first heatwave of the summer began on Monday, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius recorded at several monitoring stations. According to Kathimerini, the heat is accompanied by light winds, increased humidity, and restricted air circulation, making urban areas and coastal zones feel even more intense. Power outages occurred in parts of Athens due to the surge in electricity demand caused by the heat. Wildfires are currently raging in several regions, including on the island of Salamis west of Athens. This late-season temperature rise is unusual for Greece, as June rains and July winds had previously kept the country cooler compared to other European nations. The meteorological service notes that this is the third time since 2011 that the 40-degree mark was surpassed so late in the season, with forecasts indicating a drop in temperatures by Thursday. Italy is also grappling with its third heatwave of the summer, with 18 major cities, including Rome, Florence, and Naples, under the highest alert level. Forest fires have spread further in the southern part of the country, particularly on Sardinia and Sicily. The Pollino National Park in Calabria has been affected, prompting road closures. On Sicily, the situation worsened in Castronovo di Sicilia, where local authorities reported damage to agricultural fields, buildings, and farming equipment. On Sardinia, thousands of hectares of state-owned forests and harvested fields have burned. Meanwhile, along the Adriatic coast and in the Balkans, meteorological services have issued warnings of severe storms. In northern Croatia, heavy downpours were reported on Monday, with media accounts noting a meteotsunami in the village of Mali Losinj. These extreme weather patterns highlight the increasing frequency and intensity of such events, which climate scientists attribute to global warming. While individual extreme weather occurrences cannot be directly linked to climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirms that such phenomena are becoming more common and severe. The effects of these weather extremes extend beyond immediate dangers. In Spain, data from the European Commission’s Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) shows that wildfires since the start of the year have destroyed over 80,000 hectares of land, an almost double increase compared to the previous year. Last week, thirteen people died in a wildfire in Andalusia. Such figures underscore the growing threat posed by climate-related disasters, especially in regions already vulnerable to prolonged dry spells and high temperatures. As the week progresses, the focus remains on managing the ongoing risks and ensuring public safety. Emergency services continue to monitor developments closely, while governments and environmental agencies prepare for potential long-term impacts. With the weather forecast showing some relief in the coming days, attention will shift towards recovery efforts and measures to mitigate future risks.