Europe heatwave 2026 drives record temperatures and AC shortages

A severe heatwave is sweeping Western and Central Europe in late June 2026, with temperatures exceeding 40 °C in France, Spain and the United Kingdom and reaching 45 °C in parts of southern Spain. The extreme heat has triggered emergency heat warnings in 23 countries, school closures, shortened school days in England and at least 40 drownings in France as people seek relief in rivers and lakes. Only about 20 % of European households have air‑conditioning, making cooling a luxury for most residents.

The lack of widespread AC, coupled with high electricity costs and regulatory restrictions, leaves many citizens relying on fans, ice packs and cold‑water baths. Experts warn that such conditions exacerbate Europe's climate‑neutrality goals, as increased cooling demand would raise energy consumption and emissions.

A related study by the European Centre for Medium‑range Weather Forecasts predicts that one additional billion people worldwide will face extreme heat each year by the end of the century. The research links rising daytime and night‑time temperatures to intensified heatwaves across the globe, with health impacts such as increased emergency calls for heat‑related illnesses.

Tourism patterns are also shifting northward, as travelers from heat‑stricken southern Europe opt for cooler destinations in Scandinavia. Airports in the Nordic region report a double‑digit rise in passenger numbers, and Norway’s tourism board notes a surge in visitors seeking milder summer weather.