Red heat alerts hit France, Spain and Italy as Europe nears 44C
Why it matters: schools closed in France, rail service was cut, and officials warned the heat could rank among Europe’s longest in years.
Red heat alerts spread across western and central Europe as forecasters warned temperatures could top 40C in several countries and reach 44C in parts of Spain. More than half of France’s regions were under the highest warning level, with Bordeaux hitting 42C and Paris forecast to reach 41C on Wednesday. Hundreds of French schools were ordered to close, and rail services were reduced in Paris. Italy issued red alerts for 12 cities including Rome, Milan and Florence, while Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg also posted severe warnings. Forecasters said hot air moving north from the Sahara was driving the surge. Scientists have linked repeated extreme heat in Europe to global warming.