Europe is melting! Southern Spain just shattered records with a scorching 46°C in the city of El Granada, while temperatures across the continent soar above 40°C. This June is the hottest ever recorded, and the heatwave gripping southern Europe shows no signs of letting up. From Portugal, through Italy, Croatia, to France and the Balkans, red and orange warnings for extreme heat are in effect. People are fainting, hospitals are overwhelmed with heatstroke patients, and cities are opening air-conditioned shelters and pools for the most vulnerable. All this while scientists warn that such heatwaves are now ten times more likely due to climate change.
So what is this heat dome that’s roasting us? It’s a phenomenon where a large mass of hot air gets trapped over a region, like a lid preventing the air from cooling down. This phenomenon is intensified by climate change, which alters atmospheric pressure patterns and weakens jet streams, allowing heat domes to linger longer and become more intense. Urbanization and droughts worsen the situation, as concrete and asphalt absorb and retain heat, while dry soil reduces natural cooling.
In Spain, nighttime temperatures stayed above 30°C, posing serious health risks. Italy has introduced special protocols for heatstroke emergencies, and Rome offers free access to city pools for people over 70. Portugal has already reported heatstroke cases despite warnings to avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day. In the Balkans, Serbia recorded its highest temperature since the 19th century, while Slovenia saw its hottest June ever.
As Europe fries, meteorologists warn the heatwave will spread to France, Germany, and the UK, where London could see temperatures up to 35°C. This is a clear sign that climate change is not some distant future — it’s our present.
So, what do you think? Is this just the start of hell on earth, or can we fight this new normal? Share your thoughts, or just drop a sarcastic comment — because, let’s be honest, who actually enjoys roasting like a chicken on a grill?
