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Heat warning for Europe - Highest warning level in Paris

Tuesday, July 1


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The current heat wave has Europe firmly in its grip. Temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius are expected in eastern Austria in the coming days. A heat warning is in place for large parts of Germany. In France, authorities expect the heat wave to peak on Tuesday. The highest level of alert, red, has been issued for 16 departments, including the populous capital, Paris. Other Mediterranean countries, such as Italy and Spain, are also severely affected.

Höchste Warnstufe in Paris ausgerufen
IMAGE: SN/APA/AFP/THIBAUD MORITZHighest warning level declared in Paris

As the German Weather Service (DWD) announced on its website Tuesday morning, the heat warning in Austria's neighboring country applies west of a line roughly between Bremen in northern Germany and Rosenheim in southern Bavaria. Meteorologists warned of"extreme heat" for the far west of the country and the Upper Rhine region.

French hospitals prepare for heat victims

France is groaning under high temperatures. According to the weather agency Météo France, the second-highest warning level was in effect in 68 of the 96 departments on the French mainland. Only along the English Channel and on the border with Belgium are temperatures currently lower in France. Health Minister Yannick Neuder told broadcaster BFMTV that hospitals are prepared to admit people suffering from health problems caused by the heat wave. Clinics are preparing just as they would for a flu epidemic.

1,350 schools were closed completely or closed in the afternoon. Firefighters were on alert in many places because several fires had already broken out in dry fields and in the wild.

Up to 41 degrees in France

According to Météo France, temperatures in France will not fall below 20 degrees Celsius anywhere, even at night. Highs of 36 to 40 degrees Celsius, and in some cases even 41 degrees Celsius, are forecast."The red alert corresponds to an extreme heat wave that is exceptional in its duration, intensity, and geographical extent," the weather service explained. It also has"significant health impacts on the entire population."

For Paris, this is the first time in five years that the highest heat warning level has been declared. Traffic restrictions have been imposed in the greater Paris area. Due to the heat-related high ozone levels, only vehicles with the lowest emissions are allowed to travel in Paris and its suburbs until midnight. Furthermore, as on Monday, the speed limit will be reduced by 20 kilometers per hour, police announced.

The Eiffel Tower, arguably the city's most famous landmark, will remain closed to visitors until Wednesday due to the heat. The first and second floors of the 330-meter-high structure will remain accessible. However, operators warned:"Remember to protect yourself from the sun and drink plenty of fluids." Drinking fountains will be available for visitors waiting in line along the way to the Eiffel Tower.

Other Mediterranean countries also affected

The last few days of June brought several heat records to Spain. On Saturday, a new national heat record for a June day was recorded in the southern Spanish town of El Granado, on the border with Portugal, with 46 degrees Celsius. It was also extremely hot in Portugal. In the Catalan tourist metropolis of Barcelona on the Mediterranean, a local temperature record of 37.6 degrees Celsius was recorded for a June day on Monday. And that's despite the fact that the really hot months are still to come.

The heat is particularly dangerous for outdoor workers. In Barcelona, a 51-year-old street cleaner died shortly after the end of her shift. The city launched an investigation, as the Spanish newspaper"La Vanguardia" reported. According to media reports, she complained of feeling unwell during her afternoon shift on Saturday in the intense heat, but did not stop working. She then collapsed at the dining table and fainted at home. Neighbors provided first aid, but paramedics later confirmed her death, the newspaper reported.

Hope for first cooling probably only from Thursday

According to the state weather service Aemet, the heat wave could last until Wednesday. Only from Thursday onwards can people hope for somewhat cooler temperatures.

In Mora, Portugal, the thermometer even climbed to 46.6 degrees Celsius. However, the situation in Portugal is expected to ease slightly on Tuesday. In all but eight regions, only the second-highest heat warning level, orange, is expected. However, temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius in Castel Branco in the center of the country, as well as in Beja and Évora, and as high as 34 degrees Celsius in the capital, Lisbon.

Highest warning level also in Italian cities

In Italy, the highest heat warning level is in effect for 18 cities, including Rome, Milan, Verona, and Palermo. While severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected in the north of the country, temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius are expected in many major cities, with barely any cooling at night and in some cases not falling below 25 degrees Celsius. Near Bologna, a 47-year-old man died on Monday after collapsing on a construction site in the midday heat. Authorities are investigating whether the high temperatures contributed to his death. According to Italian media, he also reportedly had underlying health conditions.

To protect people who have to do physical work outdoors, special regulations are in place in several regions – including Lombardy, Sicily, Apulia, and Tuscany. There, outdoor work is prohibited during the hot midday hours between 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on particularly hot days. Depending on the region, the regulations are in effect until mid-September.

Other measures have also been taken: In Genoa, people over 70 can use public transport free of charge from 7:30 a.m. – with the aim of encouraging travel during cooler hours of the day whenever possible. Cooling stations are set up in cities, and in Rome, water is also being distributed, particularly around tourist hotspots.

Croatia and Montenegro also affected

Authorities in Croatia and Montenegro are also warning people of extreme heat. In Turkey, more than 50,000 people were evacuated from forest and bush fires by Monday, particularly in the western province of Izmir. Greece is also battling forest fires.

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