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

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)
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
- Oct 14, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCFourth summer heatwave brings record temperatures and health warnings across Europe
- Oct 14, 2026, 05:30 PM UTCEurope faces escalating fourth heatwave as temperatures hit historic highs
- Oct 14, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCEurope faces prolonged fourth heatwave as temperatures hit historic highs
- Oct 14, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCExtreme heat persists across Europe as temperature records fall and health warnings expand
- Oct 13, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCFourth heatwave hits Europe as temperatures reach record highs
- Oct 13, 2026, 11:00 AM UTCExtreme heatwave sweeps Europe as Austria sets temperature record
- Oct 13, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCExtreme heat across Europe triggers record temperatures and public health warnings
- Oct 13, 2026, 04:00 AM UTCExtreme heatwaves trigger red alerts and record temperatures across Europe
- Oct 12, 2026, 11:00 PM UTCExtreme heatwaves trigger national records and health warnings across Europe
- Oct 12, 2026, 10:00 PM UTCEuropean heatwaves trigger record temperatures and thousands of excess deaths