More than 135 million people across Europe, concentrated in France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, are set to face temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius as the continent’s latest heat wave intensifies.
According to forecasts from the German Weather Service and projected 2025 population data from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, nearly three-fifths of Europeans—around 340 million people—will feel temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The figures align with tracking data from Austria’s Klimadashboard platform.
The UK and France are experiencing their fifth heat wave of the summer. Forecasters predict temperatures could reach 38 degrees Celsius in central and southeastern England, potentially marking the hottest day of the year. Meanwhile, France could see temperatures soar to 40 degrees Celsius.
The UK’s highest temperature so far this year was 38 degrees Celsius, recorded on June 26 in the east of the country.
The UK Met Office said earlier this week that even average weather conditions for the rest of August would be enough to make 2025 the hottest year on record, surpassing last year’s milestone.
Conditions 'Unacceptable and Inhumane'
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said on Thursday that extreme heat is making some National Health Service (NHS) facilities “unacceptable and inhumane” places to work and receive treatment.
The RCN reported that calls to its helpline reflect staff collapsing during shifts, heat-induced seizures, and pregnant nurses working in environments above 30 degrees Celsius. Many workers said they lack air conditioning, fans, or even adequate ventilation systems.
Like much of Europe, both France and the UK are grappling with widespread drought, as crops wither and river levels plummet, straining water supplies for domestic use, agriculture, and environmental maintenance.
This is forcing governments to seek both short- and long-term solutions to slow the impacts of human-caused climate change.
