France has imposed a partial ban on alcohol consumption at state-organised events scheduled for Sunday, as an intensifying heatwave brings scorching temperatures across much of Europe. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu made the announcement after convening a crisis meeting with 14 ministers. The ban applies to regions placed under red heatwave alerts, including Paris, where the annual Fete de la Musique festivals are due to take place. Several local authorities have already cancelled the popular celebrations, with temperatures forecast to soar.
Red Warnings Across France
Thirty-five French regions stretching from the south-west to Burgundy have been placed under red heat warnings for Sunday, with the mercury forecast to reach between 39C and 40C. According to the Reuters news agency, some areas could even hit 41C. Monday is expected to see average temperatures across mainland France reach their hottest on record, according to Sky News.
Heatwave Sweeps Europe
Almost all of Germany is under a heat warning, with temperatures nearing 38C. Portugal, Italy, and Spain are also bracing for soaring temperatures in the coming days. Monday and Tuesday are forecast to be the hottest days in Spain, where the Spanish Met Office, AEMET, warns temperatures could climb as high as 44C in some areas on Tuesday.
UK Also Affected
Parts of Britain are experiencing hotter conditions. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for Monday and Tuesday covering London, the east and south-east of England, and parts of the south-west of England and Wales. Areas in southern and eastern England are likely to meet the heatwave threshold over the weekend, with a 40% chance of exceeding the highest-ever June temperature of 35.6C, set in 1957 and 1976, the Met Office said. Saturday was expected to reach 28C, with temperatures climbing again from Sunday, reaching 32C in some southern and south-eastern areas, then pushing to 34C or above on Monday, and likely mid-30s on Tuesday.
