Europe is baking. A ferocious “heat dome” has clamped down over the continent, pushing temperatures to 45°C in parts of France and Spain, smashing June records and triggering top-level red heat warnings in six countries at once. It is already proving deadly – and in a twist catching tourists off guard, several French beach towns are now fining people up to €150 for taking their shirt off in the wrong place. Here is what travellers need to know.

What is a “heat dome” – and an “omega block”?

A heat dome is a vast area of high pressure that traps hot air and suppresses cloud, sending temperatures soaring. This one has been pulled up from the Sahara by an African anticyclone and then locked in place by an “omega block” – a stalled weather pattern named after the Greek letter Ω for the shape it traces across the atmosphere. Remarkably, it is Europe’s second heat dome in just two months.

Forecasters are blunt about the scale. Liz Bentley, chief executive of the UK’s Royal Meteorological Society, warned: “We are going to see the June temperature records not just broken, but completely annihilated.”

Where are the red heat warnings?

The UK, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg have all faced top-level red alerts. Here is the country-by-country picture:

• France: Highs around 45°C, with more than half the country under red warnings and schools closed. Bordeaux topped 42°C.
• Spain: Up to 44°C; the Basque Country on red alert and 13 of 17 regions under orange warnings.
• Portugal & Italy: Widespread highs around 40-42°C.
• Germany, Belgium & Austria: 32-39°C, with Vienna forecast to hit 39°C.
• United Kingdom: Up to 38°C – extreme by British standards.

If you are flying into hotspots such as Malaga or Barcelona in Spain, Nice in France, Naples in Italy, Faro in Portugal or Athens in Greece, plan your days around the heat.

A deadly heatwave, not just an uncomfortable one

This is far more than a sweaty inconvenience. At least 40 people have died in France during the heatwave, many of them young people who got into difficulty while swimming in unsupervised spots to cool off. The strain on the power grid left around 68,000 French households without electricity, and in Paris the summit of the Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors. Doctors are warning about extreme heat stress, when the body can no longer cool itself – a genuinely dangerous condition. For the latest casualty and disruption updates, Al Jazeera and NBC News are tracking the story.

Unusual rules tourists are getting caught out by

The heatwave has also prompted local measures visitors do not expect:

• Beach-town shirt fines: In Narbonne, Deauville, Arcachon and Les Sables-d’Olonne, going shirtless away from the beach – in town centres, shops or restaurants – can cost a fine of up to €150.
• Paris alcohol ban: Authorities banned drinking alcohol during the Fête de la Musique celebrations, citing heat and safety.
• School and attraction closures: Parts of France shut schools, and some outdoor attractions limited hours or closed at peak heat.

How to stay safe in the heat

• Stay out of direct sun during peak hours, roughly 11am to 6pm.
• Drink far more water than you think you need, and avoid alcohol at midday.
• Wear sunscreen, a hat and light, loose clothing.
• Never swim alone or in unsupervised water to cool off – this has caused many of the heatwave’s deaths.
• Plan sightseeing for early morning or evening, and seek out air-conditioned museums or shaded parks midday.
• Check local red alerts before you travel; they can affect transport, power and opening hours.

Or skip the heat entirely

If 45-degree sightseeing sounds more like an endurance test than a holiday, you are not alone – this is exactly why the “coolcation” trend is booming. Northern and Baltic Europe stay pleasantly mild all summer, and we have ranked the best options in our guide to the Top 10 places in Europe to escape the summer heat.

Frequently asked questions

How hot is it in Europe right now?

Up to 45°C in France and Spain, 40-42°C across Portugal and Italy, and as high as 38°C in the UK, as a Saharan heat dome sits over the continent and shatters June records.

Which countries have red heat warnings?

The UK, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg have all faced top-level red alerts, with extreme heat also across Italy, Portugal, Belgium and Austria.

Is the heatwave dangerous?

Yes. At least 40 people have died in France, power outages have hit tens of thousands of homes, and doctors are warning of potentially fatal extreme heat stress. Treat red alerts seriously.

What is an omega block?

A stalled weather pattern shaped like the Greek letter Ω that locks a heat dome in place, keeping the hot, high-pressure air parked over a region for days.

Can I really be fined for being shirtless in France?

Yes – in towns such as Narbonne, Deauville, Arcachon and Les Sables-d’Olonne, going shirtless away from the beach can cost up to €150.

Sources: based on reporting from Time Out, Euronews, NBC News, Al Jazeera and the 2026 European heatwaves record.