A historic heatwave continues to grip much of Europe, with Italy and the Balkans among the regions experiencing the most dangerous conditions. Since the event began around June 21, temperatures have repeatedly broken records across the continent, straining healthcare systems, power networks and transport infrastructure while increasing the risk of wildfires.
According to estimates from the World Health Organization, the prolonged heat has been associated with more than 1,300 excess deaths across Europe. Scientists from World Weather Attribution say the event is the most severe heatwave ever recorded in Europe and would have been virtually impossible this early in the summer without the influence of human-induced climate change.
Around 130 million people across Europe are expected to experience temperatures above 35°C (95°F) on June 29, with central and southeastern Europe continuing to endure exceptional heat.
The Balkans remain among the hardest-hit regions, with temperatures forecast to reach 39-40°C (102-104°F) in several countries.
Croatia has issued its highest-level red heat warnings for Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. On the Adriatic island of Vis, dozens of firefighters supported by aerial firefighting aircraft continue battling a wildfire that spread through dry pine forests near popular tourist areas.
In neighboring Serbia, temperatures are expected to climb to around 39°C (102°F), while Bosnia and Herzegovina is also battling wildfires fueled by the prolonged hot and dry conditions. Further south, emergency crews in Albania have contained a wildfire near the village of Klos after flames burned through large areas of shrubs and olive groves over the weekend.
Italy also remains under widespread heat alerts. On June 29, 22 cities were placed under the Ministry of Health’s highest-level red heat warning, with alerts extending from Bolzano in the Alps to Palermo in Sicily. Officials expect that number to rise to 25 cities on June 30 and July 1, leaving nearly the entire country under the most severe heat warning.
Italia enfrenta una ola de calor histórica y récord este verano , impulsada por el anticiclón africano y exacerbada por el cambio climático. Registra la segunda primavera más cálida desde 1950. pic.twitter.com/mFTw8mIJiI
— QUISQUEYA🇩🇴🇮🇹 (@Faraona39563501) June 28, 2026
La morsa dell'#afa non dà tregua, 18 città da bollino rosso in #Italia. Emergenza #caldo per 193 milioni di europei con temperature sopra i 35 gradi. E l'OMS lancia l'allarme: “Lo stress da calore è un killer silenzioso” pic.twitter.com/eLXqmr7AB2
— Tg2 (@tg2rai) June 29, 2026
In Rome, thousands of pilgrims attending celebrations for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul sought shade and water as temperatures climbed during outdoor events at the Vatican. Health authorities continue to warn that prolonged exposure to the heat poses a serious risk not only to vulnerable groups but also to otherwise healthy people spending extended periods outdoors.
The heatwave has produced deadly consequences across Europe. France has reported around 1,000 excess deaths linked to the prolonged period of extreme heat, while authorities across the continent have also reported numerous heat-related incidents. France has recorded dozens of drowning deaths since mid-June as people sought relief from the heat, and Poland reported 17 drowning fatalities on June 28 alone. In Cyprus, two young children died after being left inside a parked vehicle during extreme temperatures.
The event has also rewritten climate records across Europe. Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic have recorded new all-time temperature highs, while the United Kingdom and Switzerland experienced their warmest June temperatures on record.
Relief may finally be on the horizon for parts of Italy, although it is expected to arrive with potentially dangerous weather. Meteorologists forecast that the heatwave will persist through June 30 before a cold front moving south from northern Europe reaches the country on July 1.
As the cooler air collides with the exceptionally hot and humid air mass over the Mediterranean, conditions are expected to become favorable for severe thunderstorms, first across northern Italy before spreading into parts of central Italy. Forecasters warn that the atmosphere has accumulated enormous amounts of energy during the prolonged heatwave, increasing the likelihood of large hail, torrential rainfall and downbursts capable of producing damaging straight-line winds.
Despite the expected cooldown, forecast models indicate that the African subtropical anticyclone could strengthen again during the first week of July, bringing another surge of extreme heat to Italy, the Balkans and much of western and central Europe.
Authorities across southern Europe continue to urge residents and tourists to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day and follow local wildfire restrictions as exceptionally dry conditions persist.
