Europe’s 5th heat wave this year threatens rivers, power and crops

A fifth major heat wave of 2026 is set to sweep across Europe this week, with temperatures nearing 40 C in parts of France, the mid-30s in southern England and as high as 38 C in Frankfurt. Forecasters warned the hot, dry spell will deepen drought conditions, raise wildfire danger and further drain major rivers including the Rhine, Po and Danube. At Kaub, a key Rhine chokepoint for cargo traffic to southern Germany and Switzerland, water levels fell to 16 centimeters on Aug. 10 and could drop to 4 centimeters by Aug. 14. The strain is also hitting electricity systems: evening power prices in France and Germany rose above 170 euros per megawatt-hour as solar output fades and cooling demand climbs. Greece is also battling a wildfire near Agios Stylianos in Attica that prompted evacuations.