where is the heat wave in europe

The heat wave is hitting large parts of Western and Southern Europe , especially France, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Reports say France has been under red heat alerts, Spain has seen some of the highest excess-heat deaths, and the UK and Switzerland both broke June temperature records this week.

Where it’s strongest

• France: One of the hardest-hit areas, with roughly half the country under red heat-wave alert and record nighttime heat in some places.

• Spain: Severe heat across much of the country, with temperatures over 110 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Spain and major excess-death estimates.

• Italy: Included among the countries experiencing the early-summer surge in extreme temperatures.

• United Kingdom: Broke its highest June temperature record this week.

• Switzerland: Also recorded a new June temperature high.

What’s driving it

Meteorologists say a heat dome is trapping hot air over Europe, making the heat more intense and persistent than a typical summer spike. News coverage and analyses this week describe the event as unusually severe, with records falling across several countries.

Quick take

So, the answer is: the heat wave is mainly centered over Western Europe, with the worst impacts in France and Spain , and broad spillover into the UK, Italy, and Switzerland.

Would you like a country-by-country snapshot of the current heat conditions?