"World Cup Street Cheering Canceled"... Emergency as Record Heatwave Sweeps Europe

Temperatures in Parts of France Could Reach 44 Degrees

Heatwave Caused by 'Heat Dome' Phenomenon

Countries across Western Europe have launched emergency responses to a record-breaking heatwave sweeping the region. In France, concerns over students' health prompted authorities to close schools, while in Spain, even World Cup street cheering events have been canceled. The impact of the heatwave is now spreading throughout daily life.

"This Heatwave Could Reach Historic Levels"... France Orders School Closures

On the 18th (local time), a child is playing in the intense heat in Lyon, southeastern France. Photo by AFP News Agency

On June 22 (local time), France announced that the extreme heat, with temperatures hovering above 40 degrees Celsius, is expected to persist for the time being. Out of concern for students' health, authorities have decided to close a significant number of schools. French Education Minister Edouard Geoffray appeared on France 3 television the previous day and stated that 845 elementary and middle schools located in regions where the heatwave red alert has been issued will be closed. In addition, 1,800 schools will adjust their class schedules to allow students to return home early in the afternoon.

According to the French meteorological agency, on June 21, a red heatwave alert, the highest level, was issued for 35 out of mainland France's 96 departments, while an orange alert was issued for 45 departments. The number of regions under the red alert is the highest on record. Around 53 million people are now affected by the heatwave, and, except for a few areas such as Normandy and Brittany, virtually the entire country is under its influence.

Authorities anticipate that as the heatwave intensifies on June 22, an additional 14 departments will be added to the red alert list. Daytime highs in some areas are forecast to reach 40 to 42 degrees Celsius. French weather channels have warned that "this heatwave could reach historic levels," and predicted that temperatures could climb to as high as 44 degrees in some regions later this week.

The heatwave is also disrupting various events. French authorities have banned alcohol consumption at festival venues in regions under the red alert, and in some cities, scheduled concerts have been canceled altogether.

"Watch the Game Indoors"... Spain on High Alert Due to Heatwave

On the 21st (local time), citizens walking along a beach in San Sebastian, a northern resort town in Spain. Photo by AFP Yonhap News.

In Spain, street cheering events for football fans have been canceled due to the heatwave. According to AFP, a planned street celebration for the Spain vs. Saudi Arabia World Cup match scheduled for that day was called off because of the extreme heat. The Spanish Football Federation had planned to install a large screen at Plaza de Colon in central Madrid to broadcast the match at 6 p.m., but with metropolitan temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, the plan was abandoned. Authorities have recommended that football fans watch the match indoors where air conditioning is available.

The current heatwave appears to be the result of a mass of hot air from North Africa being trapped over Western Europe by a strong high-pressure system, creating a "heat dome." A heat dome occurs when a high-pressure system in the mid-to-upper atmosphere remains stationary for an extended period, trapping hot air at the surface. The phenomenon is named for its resemblance to heat being contained under a dome. Once a heat dome forms, temperatures can remain 5 to 10 degrees Celsius higher than normal for several days.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.