Europe is currently enduring a significant heatwave, with more than 135 million people, primarily in France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, facing temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) as of Thursday, August 13th, 2026. The continent is recognized as the fastest-warming in the world, and some regions are ill-prepared for such extreme heat.

Forecasts from the German weather service and 2025 population projections by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre indicate that nearly three in five Europeans—about 340 million people—will experience temperatures above 30°C (86°F) on the same day. These projections align with data from Austria’s Klimadashboard.

Central Europe continues to see record temperatures as the heatwave persists. Meanwhile, wildfires have forced hundreds to evacuate in Albania and Spain. Similar wildfire threats are present in Canada’s Okanagan region.

In the United Kingdom, more than a thousand wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales this year, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced he is considering a ban on disposable barbecues to mitigate the risk of ongoing wildfires.

Britain’s Met Office reported earlier in the week that only average weather conditions for the remainder of August would be sufficient to surpass last year’s record for the hottest year ever recorded.

Sources