Extreme heatwave sweeps Europe as Italy issues top warnings and Austria sets record

Nexus Europa Newsroom
Posted Oct 5, 2026, 11:00 PM UTC · In the digest of 2026-10-05-2300
Extreme heatwave sweeps Europe as Italy issues top warnings and Austria sets record
Photo: DR

Europe faces severe heatwaves as Italy issues red alerts for 27 cities, Austria sets a temperature record of 40.8°C, and France reports thousands of heat-related excess deaths.

Extreme summer weather continues across Europe, causing record temperatures and severe public health risks. Italian authorities issued red heat warnings for all 27 major cities during the nation's fourth heatwave of the season, with temperatures forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Austria recorded a new national temperature record of 40.8 degrees Celsius near Vienna.

The extreme weather has caused significant mortality. French health authorities reported over 7,300 excess deaths between May and July following 52 days of heatwave conditions. Western European nations, including France and the United Kingdom, are bracing for additional high temperatures alongside ongoing drought and elevated wildfire risks across the continent.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, DR, TV 2 Nyheter, VG (Verdens Gang)

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