PARIS — European countries imposed restrictions, canceled sporting events and issued heat warnings on Sunday as a new heatwave pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in some areas and threatened to break June records across the continent.
The heatwave arrived less than a month after several European countries recorded their warmest May temperatures. Meteorologists forecast temperatures to climb further in the coming days.
Scientists have identified recurring heatwaves as a consequence of global warming driven primarily by the burning of coal, oil and gas. They warn that such extreme weather events will become more frequent, last longer and intensify.
France proceeded with its annual Fete de la Musique street festival despite the heat, although the Louvre Museum in Paris canceled a free concert scheduled under its glass pyramid.
The French government banned alcohol consumption in public spaces during the festivities in departments under red alert, citing health and public order concerns.
Temperatures exceeded 40C in parts of the country, with authorities recording 42.2C in Pissos in the southwestern Landes region.
French authorities placed 35 departments, or about one-third of the country’s mainland territory, under red alert on Sunday. The national weather service said the number would rise to 49 departments on Monday.
In Paris, city officials opened parts of the Canal Saint-Martin for public swimming to help residents cope with the heat.
In Germany, organizers suspended the final of the Berlin Open tennis tournament because of severe thunderstorms and evacuated the venue. The match resumed six hours later.
Temperatures in Berlin surpassed 30C over the weekend as storms swept across much of the region on Sunday.
Belgium also faced extreme heat. David Dehenauw, head of forecasting at the IRM meteorological institute, said temperatures expected next week could become the highest ever recorded in the country.
Belgium’s national rail company SNCB canceled some rush-hour trains scheduled for Monday and Tuesday to reduce the risk of equipment failures blocking rail lines.
In Spain, officials canceled a public screening in Madrid of the national football team’s World Cup match against Saudi Arabia because of forecast extreme heat.
Spain declared its first official heatwave of the year from Sunday through Wednesday. Forecasters said temperatures could reach 44C in some areas.
Residents in Spain and neighboring Portugal flocked to beaches, carried hand-held fans and used umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun as temperatures climbed over the weekend.
Switzerland’s weather service warned of a “strong heatwave” that could push temperatures to 37C in lower-altitude regions and said it remained unclear when conditions would improve.
In the Balkans, meteorologists forecast orange weather alerts for parts of Croatia and Serbia, where temperatures could reach 35C in the coming days.
Croatian authorities issued health advisories for coping with extreme heat, while North Macedonia, Bosnia and Montenegro prepared for soaring temperatures.
Britain’s weather service issued amber heat warnings from Monday to Thursday, forecasting temperatures of up to 38C in England and Wales.
“Overnight temperatures will also be very high, with widespread Tropical Nights, where the temperature does not drop below 20C, across southern parts of England,” the Met Office said.
