Photos: Record temperatures hit Europe in first summer heatwave of 2025

Europeans braced on Saturday for the first major heatwave of the northern hemisphere summer, as climate change continues to push temperatures higher across the world's fastest-warming continent.

In Rome, temperatures are expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius (99°F), sending crowds of tourists and Catholic pilgrims toward the Italian capital’s approximately 2,500 public fountains in search of relief.

In Marseille, where temperatures are forecast to approach 40°C (104°F), local authorities have made public swimming pools free of charge to help residents cope with the Mediterranean heat.

In Portugal, two-thirds of the country will be under high alert on Sunday due to extreme heat and the risk of forest fires. The capital Lisbon is forecast to hit 42°C (108°F).

Meanwhile, in Venice, both guests and protesters at the wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos endured scorching conditions. “I try not to think about it, but I drink a lot of water and never stay still, because that’s when you get sunstroke,” said Sriane Mina, an Italian student, speaking to AFPTV on Friday.

In Spain, where recent years have brought deadly summer wildfires, the Iberian Peninsula is once again on alert. Peak temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) are expected across most of the country starting Sunday.

In Naples and Palermo, temperatures are expected to hit 39°C (102°F). Sicily has imposed a ban on outdoor work during peak heat hours, a measure also adopted in the Liguria region in northern Italy. Trade unions are now calling for the rule to be extended nationwide.

Heatwaves intensifying with global warming

Scientists continue to warn that the burning of fossil fuels is driving global warming, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves like this one. The EU’s Copernicus Climate Monitor recently confirmed that March 2025 was the hottest March ever recorded in Europe.

This heatwave follows a cascade of extreme weather records in recent years. 2024—the hottest year in recorded history—saw global disasters linked to climate extremes costing over $300 billion, according to some estimates.