Southern Europe Heat Wave 2025: High Alerts Across Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal

Southern Europe is seeing its first season's major heat wave, and Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France have asked residents and tourists to take cover and be cautious. The weather warmed up extremely fast throughout the continent, triggering red alerts, states of emergency, and warning of fires.

Southern Portugal and southern Spain both recorded maximum temperatures of 43°C, while the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere have issued red warnings in Lisbon and other surrounding areas for continuously high temperatures. Two-thirds of Portugal have an alert for heat and forest fires. Firefighters battled 15 individual firebreaks on Saturday in Sicily, Italy.

In France, almost the whole nation is under the influence of the ongoing heat, which experts indicate may continue for a number of days. Fauna stands threatened as it is defeated by the warm conditions. Bird rescue organizations are said to be flooded with heat-related admissions of native birds.

Italy issued high-heat warnings for 21 cities, including Rome, Milan, Naples, Venice, and Florence. Emergency rooms in hospitals registered cases of dehydration and heatstroke. The main population affected consists of older adults, those with chronic illnesses, and homeless persons.

To benefit the vulnerable communities, Italian cities have gone out of their way. Naples has prepared heatstroke-special treatment plans at hospitals so that immediate access is provided. Rome is providing free admission to swimming pools for senior citizens. Florence has requested medical staff to keep isolated citizens under supervision, and Ancona is providing dehumidifiers. Bologna has organized seven climate refuges with special air conditioners and water.

France has issued fire warnings and heat warnings. Other than public health, there are also increasing environmental effects with exotic tropical species now seen. Italy's national environmental agency ISPRA has implemented a public alert system for reports of sighting of poisonous fish species such as lionfish and silver-cheeked toadfish spreading in Mediterranean waters as a result of increased sea temperatures.

Scientists and environmental officials concur that climate change is also causing these incidents to escalate. Cities, especially, are victimized by virtue of the "urban heat island" effect making cities retain more heat than rural communities.

Meteorologists have warned that Southern Europe will be affected by more frequent and intense heat waves in the future. While temperature increases are anticipated, long-term urban cooling, public safety, and conservation of biodiversity policies will be all the more imperative.

Source: AFP, 2025
Photo Credit: People with parasols at a public event in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. (AFP)