Europe is in the throes of a scorching heatwave, with temperature records expected to tumble in the coming days. From Amsterdam to London, cities are rolling out emergency measures as the mercury climbs towards 40C in a so-called ‘heat dome’ that has gripped the continent.
In Amsterdam, a network of 12 ‘cool‑down’ spots has opened, concentrated in the Nieuw‑West district – identified by city modelling as the area facing the greatest heat risk. Libraries, city farms, theatres, churches, community centres and even supermarkets are offering seating, drinking water and toilets, many open to pets. The selection was based on how much shade was available, how many vulnerable residents – young children and older people – lived nearby, and how quickly homes heat up. Schools across the Netherlands are adopting ‘tropical’ timetables: shorter days, fewer lessons, more breaks, extra drinks and increased ventilation. Each school decides its own measures as there is no legal maximum classroom temperature.
“Europe battles a heat dome with cool-down spots, tropical timetables, and free cinema tickets as temperatures near 40C.”
In Nantes, France, one school has coated its windows with chalk – a product called Blanc de Meudon, or Meudon Whiting – mixed with water and painted on the glass to diminish the sun’s rays. The town hall of the 10th arrondissement of Paris is offering free cinema tickets for afternoon sessions at three independent air‑conditioned cinemas, available to those under 25 or over 65. Lyon, meanwhile, has temporarily suspended charging in its municipal museums.
Further south, the north‑eastern Spanish region of Aragón – seeing some of the highest temperatures of the heatwave – has seen cities like Zaragoza and Huesca reduce entry prices for public swimming pools.
Back in the UK, temperatures have reached new highs for the month of June, driving people to rivers and reservoirs to cool down. But with recent drowning incidents, warnings have been issued and open water swimming clubs are advertising safety measures.
And it is not just humans feeling the heat: zookeepers have been hosing down animals to keep them cool as the heat dome persists.
The heatwave shows no sign of abating, with officials bracing for further record temperatures across the continent in the days ahead.