Europe swelters as heatwave intensifies - with temperatures of up to 44C forecast

An ongoing heatwave has triggered weather warnings across Europe, with several nations - including the UK - bracing for what could be one of the hottest June days on record.

French Prime Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, called a crisis meeting with 14 of his ministers this morning, with orange heat warnings active in 60 of the country's departments, and set to escalate.

A significant temperature rise is expected across France from Sunday until at least Tuesday.

Monday could see average temperatures across mainland France reaching their hottest ever, while top temperatures in many areas could peak between 37C and 42C (99F-108F) - levels which in some places would be unprecedented for any month of the year.

Meteo-France - the French national forecaster - warns that several regions could be placed on red alert on Sunday.

The forecaster warns the heat wave could be as long and severe as the one in August 2003 if forecasts prove accurate.

Several local authorities have cancelled the popular annual music festival Fete De La Musique due to take place tomorrow throughout France.

There's also a risk of violent storms across the country.

See the weather forecast where you are

Spain is also seeing an ongoing heatwave, with Monday and Tuesday expected to be the hottest days.

Temperatures of 37-39C (98.6-102.2F) are expected on Tuesday across the interior of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, and 40-42C (104-107.6F) in the Tagus, Guadiana, and Guadalquivir valleys, according to AEMET, the Spanish Met Office.

They also warn that temperatures as high as 44C (111.2F) could be seen on Tuesday in isolated areas.

Portugal too is heating up, with the hottest temperatures expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, and temperatures expected to climb as high as 42C (107.6F), according to IPMA, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere.

Most of Germany is also under a heat warning, according to Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Germany's official weather service, with temperatures approaching 38C (100.4F).

Italy too is bracing for a heatwave, with unusually high temperatures expected to hit the peninsula over the weekend.

According to the weather forecast website IlMeteo.it, temperatures in northern and central regions are set to reach 40C (104F) for the first time this year in several cities.

All countries are under storm alerts as well.

Here in the UK, an extreme heat warning is in force for early next week, with temperatures predicted to peak around 34C (93F).

An amber extreme heat warning for Monday and Tuesday covering most of the South East, stretching to Norfolk, and parts of South Wales was expanded across east Wales and much of the Midlands on Saturday afternoon.

The Met Office says the low 30s are likely in southern England on Sunday, before the heat is expected to "expand and intensify" on Monday and Tuesday.

Humidity is set to be higher than last month's heatwave and the "tropical night" threshold - where temperatures don't fall below 20C (68F) - will be met in some areas.

The forecaster says there's a 40% chance of beating June's highest-ever temperature of 35.6C (96F), set in 1957 and 1976.

Focusing on the impact of the heatwave on the UK, Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "The European heatwave, the second of 2026, has been caused by high pressure which, over the next few days, will extend into parts of Britain. For several days, we'll experience high temperatures, both day and night, along with high humidity.

"Although some southern locations will meet heatwave criteria, it's unlikely to be countrywide, nor particularly long-lived, with temperatures dialling down a bit by the end of the week."

Meanwhile, scientists say climate change is ​making heatwaves more frequent and intense across Europe, raising the risk of health emergencies ⁠and economic disruption during the summer months.

(c) Sky News 2026: Europe swelters as heatwave intensifies - with temperatures of up to 44C forecast