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Europe's heat wave: The worst is yet to come

June 30, 2026

Record June heat has turned deadly across Europe, with temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius. Cities are struggling to cope, and experts warn this scorching heat is the new normal. How quickly can we adapt?

https://p.dw.com/p/5GJEk

Temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) have broken records in FranceGermany and other European countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has blamed the heat wave for more than 1,300 additional deaths across Europe, with that number likely to rise. It's not just humans who are buckling under the heat. The extreme temperatures are also affecting infrastructure such as roads and railway tracks. Is it time to adapt?