Skip next section 2 dead as France marks second-hottest June on recordJuly 2, 2025
2 dead as France marks second-hottest June on recordFrench scientists have said that June 2025 was the second-hottest for the country since it began keeping records in 1900.
“June 2025 has become the second hottest June since records began in 1900, behind June 2003,” French Ecology Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said on Wednesday morning.
Later on Wednesday, Pannier-Runacher said that “more than 300 people have been taken into emergency care, and two have died as a result of heat-related illnesses,” in the country.
French President Emmanuel Macron has attempted to enact climate protections, such as banning domestic flights, to varying degrees of sucess. However, some initiatives have resulted in major discontent from voters, including a fuel tax that led to the Yellow Vest protests that lasted from 2018 to 2020.
https://p.dw.com/p/4wmJm
Skip next section EU green transition chief accuses political leaders of cowardiceJuly 2, 2025
EU green transition chief accuses political leaders of cowardiceTeresa Ribera, who heads up the European Commission’s green transition team, has accused the bloc’s political leaders of being too scared to address climate change as life-threatening temperatures cripple Europe.
Speaking with the British newspaper The Guardian, she said that Wednesday’s forecast showed “absolutely terrible temperatures that have a very serious impact on ecosystems, on the economy and on health. And I think that there hasn’t yet been a real shift from the headlines about extreme meteorological phenomena to preparing people and understanding what needs to be done in the case of certain events.”
In light of this, she said she could not understand why many major political parties “continue to insist, quite vehemently, that climate change does not exist.”
Ribera said she believes that fear of how much it will cost — politically and financially — to address the climate emergency is driving much of the inaction, but warned that allowing climate breakdown will be much more costly in the long run.
https://p.dw.com/p/4wmJB
Skip next section Extreme weather warnings across northern EuropeJuly 2, 2025
Extreme weather warnings across northern EuropeNational weather services across central and northern Europe have issued warnings over excessive heat in many of the continent’s largest cities, according to aggregator MeteoAlarm.
Brussels, Cologne, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Paris, and Budapest are all expected to see temperatures of at least 35 degrees Celsius, or 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Drink water several times a day. Continue to eat normally. Wet your body several times a day using a spray, a washcloth or by taking warm showers or baths,” read a warning issued by France’s meteorological service. “Do not go out during the hottest hours.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4wmHD
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage on WednesdayJuly 2, 2025
Welcome to our coverage on WednesdayEurope continues to suffer under a brutal early summer heatwave on Wednesday, with temperatures in southern Spain expected to read 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Further north in Paris, temperatures are expected to drop slightly, but still hover around 35 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologists predict that rain and thunderstorms overnight should break the heat in many places by Thursday.
Schools remained closed in many cities, including in Italy and France, due to the weather — intensifying debate as to whether the school year needs to be adjusted to reflect the changing climate.
The heat has also affected cultural events and sports, with the Wimbledon tennis tournament in the UK, which continues on Wednesday, recording its highest-ever temperatures.
Europe bakes under ‘heat dome’ To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Skip next section Germany records highest temperature of the year — so farJuly 1, 2025
Germany records highest temperature of the year — so farThe German Weather Service (DWD) recorded the highest temperature of the year so far — 37.8 degrees Celsius (100.04 degrees Fahrenheit) — on Tuesday evening in Kitzingen, Bavaria.
The record, however, isn’t expected to last long as it could be surpassed on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to get even hotter.
“Then the peak will be reached, and it is quite possible that we will locally reach around 40 degrees,” a DWD spokesperson told the DPA news agency. That’s 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
From Thursday, it is expected to cool down slightly.
The all-time heat record for Germany was recorded on July 25, 2019, when 41.2 degrees was registered at the DWD weather stations in Tönisvorst and Duisburg-Baerl, both in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Fire crews in Germany, and elsewhere in Europe, are on alert for wildfiresImage: Julian Stratenschulte/dpa/picture alliance https://p.dw.com/p/4wm47
Skip next section Italian cities face power outages amid heat waveJuly 1, 2025
Italian cities face power outages amid heat waveSeveral Italian cities, including Florence and Bergamo, were hit with power outages on Tuesday amid a blazing summer heat wave.
The power grid was also overloaded near Milan.
The outages affected private homes as well as businesses and even traffic on the streets as traffic lights stopped working in some places.
Energy supplier Enel said it was working to restore power. The outages could be “related to the heat, which led to overheating and expansion of the power cables,” the company said.
Italy has been experiencing sizzling heat for days, with heat alerts having been issued in over a dozen cities, including Rome.
Heat alerts have been issued in over a dozen Italian citiesImage: Remo Casilli/REUTERS https://p.dw.com/p/4wm44
Skip next section WATCH: Europe bakes under ‘heat dome’ July 1, 2025
WATCH: Europe bakes under ‘heat dome’ This June, many parts of Europe sweltered under the highest temperatures ever recorded for the summer month. Scientists say these extreme conditions are caused by a familiar weather pattern exacerbated by global warming.
Europe bakes under ‘heat dome’ To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Skip next section How hot were different European cities on Tuesday?July 1, 2025
How hot were different European cities on Tuesday?https://p.dw.com/p/4wm2x
Skip next section Brussels’ Atomium cuts hours as heat wave bitesJuly 1, 2025
Brussels’ Atomium cuts hours as heat wave bitesThe Atomium is a popular location in Brussels Image: Werner Lerooy/Zoonar/picture allianceThe Atomium, one of Brussels’ top tourist draws, is closing early on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the heat wave, the monument’s management said on its website.
The landmark features nine stainless steel spheres linked by narrow steel tubes, forming a giant cube balanced on its tip.
Inside, the spheres hold exhibitions and a restaurant, with visitors moving between them by stairs and escalators.
https://p.dw.com/p/4wldK
Skip next section German minister calls climate change biggest social issueJuly 1, 2025
German minister calls climate change biggest social issueGerman Environment Minister Carsten Schneider has called climate change the biggest social issue of the 21st century as Europe — including Germany — struggles through a heat wave.
“If one considers that the richest 1% of the global population causes as much in greenhouse gas emissions as the poorest two-thirds taken together, this poses serious questions of distribution,” Schneider said.
He argued the heat was exposing social inequality. “People with less money are able to protect themselves less well against the consequences of heat. Poor people more frequently live on busy roads and in densely built homes where heat builds up,” the minister said, noting that those with money can afford air-conditioning or cooling gardens.
Schneider said the federal government was supporting local authorities and social institutions with advice and funding to expand cooling measures. He said €73.5 million ($86.5 million) had been approved for almost 500 projects since 2020, with at least €11.5 million available for this year and next.
https://p.dw.com/p/4wlwT
Skip next section UN climate agency says heat waves will occur more oftenJuly 1, 2025
UN climate agency says heat waves will occur more oftenThe world will have to live with heat waves, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The United Nation’s weather and climate agency has said that heat waves could occur more often and be more intense.
“As a result of human-induced climate change, extreme heat is becoming more frequent, more intense. It’s something we have to learn to live with,” said WMO spokeswoman Clare Nullis.
The heat wave in Europe is the result of a strong high pressure system which is trapping hot air from Northern Africa.
WMO said early warnings and action plans are crucial in protecting the public. Organizations such as the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) are ready to help people across the continent.
“Volunteers are giving out water and checking on the most vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, older people, and outdoor workers,” IFRC spokesman Tommaso Della Longa.
On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the extreme heat is a “new normal.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4wkuX
Skip next section Eiffel Tower summit close with much of France on red alertJuly 1, 2025
Eiffel Tower summit close with much of France on red alertTourists hoping for a view from the top of the famous tower faced disappointmentImage: Christophe Ena/AP/picture allianceIn France, red alerts have been issued for 16 departments, including Paris, with temperatures expected to reach 41 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit).
Visitors without tickets are being told to postpone trips to the Eiffel Tower, with the uppermost level remaining closed until Thursday. Operators say the shutdown is “to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety.”
More than 1,300 schools have closed, hospitals are preparing for heat-related cases, and traffic restrictions are in place in Greater Paris.
Fire crews are on high alert for wildfires, while heavy storms have triggered mudslides in the Alps. Cooler weather is forecast for the country from Wednesday.
Climate experts warn that future summers are set to become hotter than any on record. By 2100, France could be up to 4 C warmer, with temperatures topping 40 C every year and extreme spikes possibly hitting 50 C.
Europe bakes under ‘heat dome’ To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
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Skip next section Heat wave scorches Italy as storms hit northJuly 1, 2025
Heat wave scorches Italy as storms hit northItaly’s Health Ministry says 17 of the country’s 27 major cities are under a heat wave alert.
As the country’s north was battered by torrential rain on Monday, parts of Bardonecchia near Turin were left buried in sludge after the Frejus river burst its banks.
Near Bologna, one of the cities under alert on Tuesday, a 46-year-old construction company owner collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, according to state-run RAI. An autopsy is underway to confirm the cause, but heat is suspected.
https://p.dw.com/p/4wlXy
Skip next section Heat exhaustion: What to do?July 1, 2025
Heat exhaustion: What to do?Hannah Fuchs
First of all, those suffering from heat exhaustion should immediately be taken out of the sun, to a cool place or into the shade, and drink water as quickly as possible. Cold, damp clothes can help cool the body.
In addition, someone with heat exhaustion should drink plenty of fluids to bring hydration levels back to normal. Cold water or sports drinks replenish lost salts, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. These can dehydrate you even more, on top of excessive sweating, which, according to experts, can cause additional fluid loss of up to 2 liters on very hot days.
Until the symptoms get better, you need to rest.
It’s important to know that in severe cases, severe vomiting, confusion or even unconsciousness can occur. If that happens, you should see a doctor, if only to rule out heat stroke.
Read DW’s full report on what to do in an emergency.
https://p.dw.com/p/4wktv
Skip next section Spain, Portugal report hottest June on recordJuly 1, 2025
Spain, Portugal report hottest June on recordPortugal has recorded its highest-ever June temperature at 46.6 degrees Celsius in Mora, east of Lisbon, beating the previous June record from 2017, according to the IPMA weather agency. More than a third of monitoring stations have registered over 40 C on Sunday, with several regions under red alert for extreme heat and wildfire risk.
Spain’s weather service Aemet says last month was the hottest June on record nationwide, with an average temperature of 23.6 C.
El Granado near Portugal’s border reached 46 C on Saturday, a new June high, while Barcelona posted a sweltering 37.6 C — despite its coastal location.
Scientists say human-driven climate change is making heat waves more intense, with heat domes trapping hotter air.
https://p.dw.com/p/4wl47
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