A powerful heatwave is sweeping across Europe on Sunday, pushing temperatures toward 40 °C [1], [2].
The extreme weather threatens public health and the tourism industry while placing an unprecedented strain on wildlife rehabilitation centers. The scale of the event has forced authorities to issue urgent health warnings to residents in the hardest-hit regions.
The heat is affecting a wide swath of the continent, with significant impacts reported in Spain, Italy, and France [1], [2]. The surge in temperature has also reached as far as Greece, the UK, and Ireland [3], [4]. In Ireland, the region had already seen an unusually warm start to the season, including a record May temperature of 28.8 °C [4].
Meteorologists attribute the current conditions to a mass of hot air moving north from the Sahara [5]. This movement is driven by a strong high-pressure system known as the African anticyclone [5]. This atmospheric configuration has created a heat dome that traps warm air over the continent, intensifying the temperature spikes.
Wildlife rehabilitation centers, particularly those in Belgium, are currently overwhelmed [1]. Staff at these facilities said there is a surge in animals suffering from heat stress and dehydration. The suddenness of the temperature increase has left many local species unable to adapt, leading to a spike in rescues.
In urban centers, the heat is compounded by the urban heat island effect, making cities in Spain and Italy particularly hazardous. Local governments said citizens should remain hydrated and avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours to prevent heatstroke.
While the immediate focus remains on emergency health responses, the prolonged nature of the heatwave is raising concerns about long-term agricultural impacts and the risk of forest fires across the Mediterranean region [3].
“Temperatures approaching 40 °C”
The recurrence of the 'African anticyclone' highlights the increasing vulnerability of European infrastructure and ecosystems to Saharan air intrusions. The fact that wildlife centers in Northern Europe, such as Belgium, are being overwhelmed suggests that heat-stress events are now impacting regions and species previously considered safe from extreme thermal peaks.
