Europe faces fourth summer heatwave as Italy issues top heat alerts
A fourth heatwave hits Europe as Italy puts 27 cities on red alert, Austria sets a temperature record of 40.8°C, and France reports thousands of heat-related excess deaths.
Europe continues to suffer under an unrelenting summer heatwave, with several countries recording extreme temperatures, elevated health risks, and historic weather events. In Italy, health authorities extended top-level red heat alerts across all 27 major cities, including Messina and Reggio Calabria, as temperatures reach up to 40 degrees Celsius. The prolonged heatwave is expected to persist for at least another week following initial heat-related fatalities.
Meanwhile, temperature records continue to fall across the continent. Austria registered its highest temperature on record, reaching 40.8 degrees Celsius near Vienna. In France, health officials reported over 7,300 excess deaths linked to 52 heatwave days recorded since mid-June. Meteorologists in the United Kingdom and France warn of incoming hot conditions that threaten to exacerbate ongoing drought and wildfire risks across Europe.
Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, DR, TV 2 Nyheter, VG (Verdens Gang)
Sources
- Berlingske — Østrig måler højeste temperatur nogensinde
- TV 2 Nyheter — Italia koker: Rødt farevarsel i 27 byer
- DR — Italiens sundhedsministerium advarer om ekstrem varme
- VG (Verdens Gang) — Ny hetebølge rammer Europa: Opp mot 40 grader
- Aftenposten — Over 7300 ekstra dødsfall under hetebølgen i Frankrike
Earlier coverage
- Nov 5, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCEurope faces severe heatwave with record temperatures and red alerts
- Nov 5, 2026, 07:30 AM UTCWorsening European heatwave breaks temperature records and triggers health alerts
- Nov 5, 2026, 06:00 AM UTCHeatwaves trigger record temperatures and health warnings across Europe
- Nov 5, 2026, 02:00 AM UTCSouthern and Western Europe face continuing heatwave as alerts expand
- Nov 4, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCEurope faces mounting toll and record temperatures in fourth summer heatwave
- Oct 31, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCEuropean heatwaves bring record temperatures and thousands of excess deaths
- Oct 30, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCExtreme heatwave continues across Europe as temperatures reach record highs
- Oct 29, 2026, 07:30 AM UTCExtreme summer heatwave triggers record temperatures and health warnings across Europe
- Oct 29, 2026, 01:30 AM UTCEuropean heatwave triggers red alerts in Italy and record temperatures in Austria
- Oct 28, 2026, 06:30 AM UTCEurope faces fourth heatwave as temperatures near 40 degrees