Red heat alerts issued in France, Italy and Spain as 40C temperatures forecast

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Red heat alerts issued in France, Italy and Spain as 40C temperatures forecastImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The heatwave will be "widespread, long-lasting and intense", France's forecaster warnedByLana Lam and Alex KleidermanPublished22 June 2026Red heat alerts have been issued in France, Spain and other nations across western and central Europe as heatwave conditions are forecast to intensify in the coming days with highs of more than 40C. More than half of France's regions are currently under the harshest weather warning, with hundreds of schools ordered to close and highs of 42C hitting Bordeaux on Monday, forecaster Météo-France said. Two children aged two and four have been found dead in their family car in the town of Carpentras in the south of France, in an accident being linked to the weather.

Similar red warnings have been issued by the authorities in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Image source, WeatherImage caption, Temperatures are expected to peak in many areas on WednesdayThe rising temperatures are being driven by hot air moving north from the Sahara desert, which is in turn trapping hot air over the affected areas, with forecasters suggesting the conditions could result in one of the longest heatwaves in recent years. Scientists have said that recurring heatwaves are a marker of global warming, with Météo-France noting that of the 51 heatwaves recorded in France since 1947, 34 have taken place since 2000 and 26 since 2011.

Elsewhere the conditions have seen: Spain's state weather service Aemet warn of "extremely high" temperatures for the season until Wednesday "between five and 10 degrees above what is typical" - with some areas set to reach 44C. A red alert has been issued for the Basque country, with highs in San Sebastian forecast to rise to 40C, almost double its average for this time of yearItaly issue red alerts for 12 cities, including Milan, Turin, Venice, Bologna, Florence and Rome after several days of temperatures above 35CFive people die in fatal swimming accidents over the weekend in Germany, where temperatures have already reached as high as 38CThe UK's Met Office issue a rare red heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday for parts of England and Wales, amid forecasts suggesting temperatures could reach 38C in some areas Firefighters battle a wildfire near near Akraifnio, in central Greece, that has forced the temporary closure of a major motorway following hot, dry weather and strong windsThe IRM meteorological institute in Belgium forecasting record temperatures in the coming week. Meanwhile, the country's train operator announced some peak hour trains would be cancelled for Monday and Tuesday due to the heatImage source, ReutersImage caption, The umbrellas were out as sun shields at Milan Fashion Week on Monday as temperatures reached 37CTemperatures are expected to peak in many parts of the continent on Wednesday, with 41C forecast for Paris.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.