Europe braces for record heat as over 90 million face 35C temperatures
A joint analysis predicts unprecedented heat across western and southern Europe, affecting millions and raising concerns over preparedness.
Europe is set to experience a sweeping heatwave on Wednesday, with forecasts indicating that temperatures will exceed 35 °C for more than 90 million people. The projection comes from a model that combined the latest outlook of the Deutscher Wetterdienst with 2025 population estimates supplied by the Joint Research Centre. The analysis, mirroring methods used by the Austrian NGO Klimadashboard, maps heat against where people live, highlighting the scale of exposure.
Heat forecast and population exposure
The most intense heat is expected in western and southern parts of the continent. About 30 million residents of France could see temperatures rise above 35 °C, while similar levels are projected for 29 million people in Italy and 21 million in Spain. The heatwave also stretches into the Balkans, affecting the likes of Greece, Albania and Croatia. Further north, the United Kingdom is forecast to see more than 43 million people endure temperatures above 30 °C, a threshold that the national Met Office says could make this the hottest summer on record for the country.
Scientists warn that such recurring heatwaves are a clear signal of accelerating global warming, driven largely by the continued burning of fossil fuels. The health and economic impacts are already visible: drought, wildfires and a rise in heat‑related deaths have marked this summer.
"The analysis likely underestimates the number of people affected in densely populated urban areas," said David Jablonski of Klimadashboard.
Implications for Europe
Beyond the immediate discomfort, the heat poses challenges for power grids, water supplies and labour productivity. In the UK's construction slowdown already threatens economic growth, and prolonged heat could exacerbate those pressures across the region.
Looking ahead, experts expect heatwaves to become more frequent, longer and more intense. Policymakers will need to factor this reality into urban planning, energy infrastructure and public‑health strategies if they hope to mitigate the next wave of scorching days.
