- Austria recorded its highest temperature ever at 41.2°C in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing heat wave.
- On Thursday, Italy placed all 27 monitored cities under red alert, the first time this year that the entire network has been under the highest warning level simultaneously.
- The heat wave peaked across the Balkans on Thursday, with temperatures nearing 40°C and wildfires reported.
- Budapest recorded its warmest overnight low on Wednesday night, with temperatures only falling to 28°C.
- In France, the Var region wildfire has burned over 60 square kilometers since July 20, making it the largest recorded in recent decades.
- The extreme heat in Italy has been linked to four deaths in recent days, including a 19-year-old tomato-picker and a 40-year-old carpenter.
- More than 100 towns across Piedmont and Lombardy are facing water supply difficulties due to the ongoing drought exacerbated by the heat.
- The heatwaves this summer have also accelerated grape ripening and caused a 10% drop in milk production due to heat stress on dairy cows.
- Authorities in Italy have urged residents to avoid direct sunlight and stay hydrated as temperatures approach 40°C.
Italy has placed all 27 major cities under a red alert due to a severe heat wave, marking the first time this year that the entire network has been under the highest warning level simultaneously.269
The alerts, which span from Trieste to Palermo, indicate a health risk for the entire population, not just vulnerable groups. Authorities have urged residents and tourists to avoid direct sunlight, stay indoors, and hydrate as temperatures approach 40°C (104°F).3
In Austria, the heat wave has set a national record with temperatures reaching 41.2°C (106.2°F) in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, the highest ever recorded in the country. This extreme weather has also led to severe drought conditions, with rainfall 27% below average, affecting agriculture and energy production.1
The heat wave has been linked to four recent deaths in Italy, including a 19-year-old tomato-picker and a 40-year-old carpenter. The ongoing drought in the Po valley is straining water supplies, with over 100 towns facing difficulties.7
Lorenzo Giovannini, an atmospheric physicist, noted that this summer's heatwaves are already above average in intensity and duration, exacerbated by the climate crisis. Major tourist cities are implementing measures to mitigate the heat's impact, including extending opening hours for cultural sites and providing access to air-conditioned venues.
The extreme heat is not expected to relent for at least a week, prompting ongoing safety measures across the continent.
“Austria's record 41.2°C in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg on Wednesday came amid a drought with rainfall 27% below average from January to June. Hungary's nuclear plant cut output to 10% as Danube water levels hit record lows, prompting emergency conservation measures.”
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