During a heatwave in Paris on June 30, 2025, a tourist is seen using an umbrella for shade near the Eiffel Tower. French authorities have issued a red alert for extreme heat in the city. This heatwave is a result of a marine heatwave in the Mediterranean Sea combining with a powerful heat dome, causing Europe to experience unusually high temperatures early in the summer.
The influence of marine heatwaves in the Mediterranean has become more significant in recent summers due to global warming, leading to higher ocean temperatures that contribute to soaring land temperatures, floods, and wildfires. Water temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea are currently up to 9 degrees above average, with the most intense warming observed in the western Mediterranean near France.
The intense heat and humidity are affecting various regions, prompting people to seek relief through water mist fountains and other means. Record-breaking temperatures have been recorded in Spain and Portugal, with towns experiencing scorching highs above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
France is also facing extreme heat, with 16 départements under a red heatwave warning, including Île-de-France where Paris is located. Due to the searing temperatures, the Eiffel Tower summit is closed to visitors, with staff urging people to stay hydrated and protect themselves from the sun. Similar heatwaves are affecting the United Kingdom, with Wimbledon spectators using handheld fans to cool down during matches.
Moreover, wildfires have broken out in Seferihisar district of Izmir, Turkiye, further highlighting the impact of these extreme weather conditions on different parts of Europe.
“The current heatwave in June and July is exposing millions of Europeans to high levels of heat stress,” stated Samantha Burgess, the strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting. “The temperatures we are experiencing are more typical of July and August and usually occur only a few times each summer.”
As temperatures soar, wildfires are spreading across several countries. A fire broke out in Aude, in southwest France, on Sunday, scorching nearly 400 acres. In Turkey, around 50,000 people have been evacuated as firefighters battle fierce blazes primarily in the western Izmir and Manisa provinces.
Temperature records are expected to be broken on Tuesday and Wednesday in Germany as the heat dome moves eastward, followed by a series of cooling cold fronts that will bring relief to northwestern Europe from the west.
Human-induced climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, severe, and enduring. Europe is the continent experiencing the fastest rate of warming, at twice the pace of the rest of the world. Climate change is also contributing to the rise in the occurrence and intensity of marine heatwaves.
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