After enduring days of unprecedented heat, parts of Western Europe are anticipating a significant shift in weather patterns beginning Wednesday, as Atlantic influences are set to bring thunderstorms and a welcome drop in temperatures.
France, which saw Paris reach a scorching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, is forecast to experience a notable cooling. Météo-France predicts the capital’s high will fall to 35°C on Wednesday and further to 28°C by Thursday. “Our latest forecasts confirm the arrival of cooling from the west on Wednesday, which will quickly affect the northwest of the country,” stated Météo-France, adding a warning for potential heavy thunderstorms late Wednesday and Thursday along the German border in the east.
Germany’s national weather service anticipates a peak of 40°C in Frankfurt on Wednesday, before a sharp decline to 27°C by Thursday. Meanwhile, Southern European nations such as Spain and Italy may have to wait until the weekend for more limited relief from the intense heat.
The heatwave has had a direct impact on daily life, particularly in France, where approximately 2,200 schools were closed on Tuesday due to the extreme temperatures. The Ministry of Education expects this number to decrease significantly, with only around 135 schools remaining closed on Wednesday.
Record-breaking temperatures have been a hallmark of this heatwave. Météo-France confirmed that June 30 marked the hottest June day since measurements began in 1947, surpassing a record set in 2019. Similar temperature records were also established on Tuesday in Portugal and the Netherlands. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts indicated that, continent-wide, this June is likely to rank among the top five warmest Junes on record.
Further highlighting the extreme conditions, the Mediterranean Sea recorded its highest-ever temperature for June on Sunday, while Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak, experienced above-freezing temperatures—a rare occurrence for this time of year.
In Turkey, authorities reported late Tuesday that forest fires, which had erupted over the weekend around Izmir in the west and Hatay in the south, were largely brought under control. However, warnings remain in place regarding continued risks from dry, hot winds.
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