Europe Heat Wave Puts Italy on Red Alert as Austria, Slovakia Set Temperature Records

ROME — A severe heat wave sweeping across Europe has placed all of Italy’s major cities under the highest heat alert, while record temperatures, drought, wildfires and pressure on energy and transport systems continue to affect countries across the continent.

Italy’s Health Ministry placed all 27 cities monitored under its national heat surveillance system on red alert Thursday, marking the first time this year that the entire network has simultaneously reached the highest warning level. The alerts cover cities from Trieste in the northeast to Palermo in Sicily and indicate a health risk for the entire population.

Temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in several European countries, prompting authorities to issue widespread health warnings. Scientists and officials have warned that extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and intense as the climate warms.

In Rome, temperatures remained around 30 degrees Celsius even during the evening, providing little relief from the heat. Authorities have advised residents and tourists to avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours, remain indoors when possible and stay hydrated.

The extreme conditions have also affected tourism. Italy has extended evening opening hours at major attractions, including the Colosseum and Pantheon, while cooling mist fans and additional medical stations have been installed around the Colosseum. Rome has also opened a free municipal “urban beach” along the Tiber River, providing swimming pools, water fountains and shaded areas for residents seeking relief.

Austria and Slovakia Break Temperature Records

The heat wave has produced unprecedented temperatures elsewhere in Central Europe. Slovakia recorded an all-time national high of 42.2 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit) at Dolne Plachtince in the south, according to the Slovak Meteorological Institute.

Austria also recorded its highest temperature ever, with 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.2 degrees Fahrenheit) measured Wednesday in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg near the Slovak border, according to GeoSphere Austria. The country is simultaneously experiencing severe drought, with rainfall during the first half of 2026 running 27% below the long-term national average.

Low water levels are adding to the pressure on infrastructure. In Slovakia, exceptionally low flows on the Danube forced the country’s largest hydroelectric power plant at Gabčíkovo to shut down seven of its eight turbines. The plant has produced significantly less electricity this year because of reduced water availability.

Energy and Transport Systems Under Pressure

Hungary’s energy system has also been affected by the prolonged drought. Low water levels in the Danube have severely constrained the cooling capacity of the country’s only nuclear power plant, forcing operators to reduce production to about 10% of normal levels.

The Hungarian government has introduced emergency conservation measures, including requests for households and major industrial users to reduce electricity consumption during peak hours. Decorative lighting at major Budapest landmarks has also been switched off to conserve power.

Germany is facing growing concerns over declining water levels in the Rhine and other rivers, threatening inland shipping, industrial activity and supply chains. Officials and environmental groups have called for stronger measures to make waterways more resilient to prolonged drought and climate-related pressures.

France Battles Wildfires

In southeastern France, firefighters remain on high alert as extremely dry conditions increase the risk of further wildfires. A major blaze in the Var region, which began on July 20, has burned more than 60 square kilometers and was described as the largest recorded in the area in recent decades.

Although authorities said the fire was no longer spreading, they warned that strong winds and continued dryness could cause the flames to reignite or trigger new fires.

The Balkans have also been hit by extreme heat, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius in several areas. Serbia is battling multiple wildfires, while tourists in Croatia’s Dubrovnik have sought shade and avoided beaches during the hottest parts of the day.

The widespread heat wave has underscored the growing vulnerability of Europe’s public health systems, energy infrastructure, waterways, transportation networks and tourism sector to prolonged periods of extreme weather. Authorities across the continent are increasingly being forced to introduce emergency measures as record temperatures and drought conditions persist.