Severe heatwaves break records across Europe as health risks mount
Europe faces ongoing extreme heat, with red alerts issued across 27 Italian cities, a record 40.8 degrees Celsius in Austria, and thousands of excess deaths in France.
Extreme heat continues to affect large parts of Europe, triggering severe health warnings and breaking national temperature records. In Italy, the health ministry expanded red alert warnings to all 27 major cities amid its fourth summer heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius and multiple fatalities already reported.
Austria registered its highest temperature on record as the mercury reached 40.8 degrees Celsius in a suburb of Vienna. In France, health authorities reported more than 7,300 excess deaths linked to recurring heatwaves between May and July, following more than 50 days of extreme heat conditions since mid-June.
Forecasters warn that dangerous temperatures, persistent drought, and elevated wildfire risks will continue to impact Western Europe, including France and the United Kingdom.
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