Europe's Historic Heatwave: Spain and England Set Records

Tue Oct 21 2025 03:34:05 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Spain and England experience unprecedented temperatures in June amid ongoing heatwave.

Spain and England have marked their hottest June on record as Europe grapples with a severe heatwave. Spain's weather service, Aemet, reports an average temperature of 23.6C, obliterating previous records and even surpassing typical July and August averages. Similarly, England saw its mean temperature hit 16.9C, making this June the second warmest overall since record-keeping began in 1884. Other parts of Europe are suffering greatly, with wildfires in Turkey forcing evacuations and scorching temperatures triggering heat alarms across multiple nations.

Spain's weather agency announced that the month of June has brought unprecedented heat, with temperatures flowing past norms. The Iberian Peninsula has seen readings over 43C, and overnight lows in cities like Seville and Barcelona remained uncomfortably high at 28C and 27C, respectively.

The UK's Met Office confirmed its record 2023 June temperature average for the second consecutive year, with highs of 34.7C recorded in London. Wimbledon, the famed tennis tournament, also registered its hottest opening day in history.

While Spain and the UK set the tone for rising temperatures, Portugal experienced a worrying high of 46.6C, marking a daily record for June. Wildfires in Turkey have devastated large areas, affecting upwards of 50,000 residents due to the intensity and rapid spread of flames, particularly in Izmir and other provinces.

France is similarly battling extreme conditions, having recently established a red alert in 15 regions due to soaring temperatures, pushing school closures to almost 1,900 establishments. The Parisian region recorded nighttime highs of 37.6C, prompting officials to close the Eiffel Tower for the heatwave's duration.

Health concerns are on the rise, particularly in Italy, where a spike in hospital admissions by 20% has been noted. In urban areas affected by the heat, outdoor work has been restricted during peak hours to protect laborers from heat-related illnesses.

As the thermometer continues its ascent across southern Europe, the environmental impact is stark. The unrelenting heat exacerbates wildfire risks while posing health hazards to citizens and threatening ecosystems. The UN’s human rights chief underscored the pressing need for climate adaptation to combat these escalating disasters spurred by climate change.

In summary, the ongoing heatwave signifies a grim new reality for the continent, with nations bracing for increasingly severe weather anomalies due to climate change. As global temperatures rise, each year may set new records marking the effects of human-induced climate issues.