Europe live: western Europe heatwave prompts public safety warnings and school closures

Heatwave warnings intensify across western Europe

A severe late-June heatwave is driving public-safety measures across western Europe, with France under red and orange alerts and the UK issuing a rare red extreme-heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday.

The latest reporting shows the weather event moving from an alert phase into a wider public-health problem. Authorities in both countries are warning about risks to older people, children and other vulnerable groups, while schools, transport services and other parts of daily life are being disrupted.

France's weather service, Meteo-France, has said most of the country is entering conditions that are unlikely to ease before Friday. It described the spell as exceptionally intense and compared it with August 2003, although the duration of the heatwave remains uncertain.

France: school closures, restrictions and health impacts

AP reported that Paris recorded its hottest June night on record and a daytime high of 37.7C on Monday, while temperatures climbed above 40C in parts of France. More than 1,350 schools were closed or adjusted their hours because of the heat.

The French government has also moved to limit exposure in the hardest-hit areas. El País reported that officials activated an interministerial crisis cell and ordered prefects to ban public alcohol consumption in red-alert zones.

Public life has been affected beyond schools. Reports have pointed to transport disruption, restrictions on outdoor activity and growing pressure on emergency and health services as the heat persists.

The alert level has also varied as the situation has evolved. AP earlier reported that about a third of France was under red alert, while El País later said 49 departments were in red, reflecting different snapshots of a fast-moving escalation.

AP also reported that the heatwave has already been linked to deaths, including two young children who died after being trapped in a parked car, as well as several drownings.

UK issues rare red warning

In the UK, the Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for extreme heat and humidity for Wednesday and Thursday. The warning covers southern Wales and parts of England, including areas from Kent to Somerset and reaching as far north-west as Birmingham and as far north-east as southern Cambridgeshire.

The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a red heat health alert for six English regions from 1am on Wednesday until 11pm on Thursday.

The Met Office said temperatures could reach 38C to 40C in some places and warned of significant disruption to daily life, transport, energy supplies and healthcare services. Multiple outlets have also reported school timetable changes and early closures ahead of the warning.

What officials are watching

The main question now is how long the heat lasts and whether conditions worsen later in the week. Meteo-France has said the spell is unlikely to ease before Friday, but the duration remains uncertain.

The next updates to watch are whether French red alerts are extended or eased, whether the UK warning is widened or prolonged, and whether more schools or transport operators announce changes. Authorities may also update casualty and hospital-impact figures if the heat continues.

The episode has become a test of heat preparedness in both countries, with vulnerable people facing the highest risk and emergency planners under pressure to manage the strain on services.