An exceptional early-season heatwave pushed temperatures above 42°C across parts of southern Europe this week, breaking April records in Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Croatia and prompting governments to activate emergency health protocols.
Hospitals reported a significant rise in heat-related admissions, with elderly residents and outdoor workers most affected. Several municipalities opened cooling centres and suspended outdoor construction work during peak afternoon hours.
Climate scientists linked the event to a persistent high-pressure system amplified by long-term warming trends, warning that such extremes are likely to become more frequent and intense in coming decades.
