European Union nations are taking unprecedented action as a rare “red” weather warning signals an intense heatwave, with temperatures expected to soar up to 45°C. In response, both France and Spain have implemented alcohol bans and urged the public to take extensive precautions to stay safe.
France has prohibited alcohol consumption at state-run events in 35 departments, including Paris, to help prevent dehydration amid rising temperatures. This measure has led to the cancellation of the popular annual Fête de la Musique scheduled for this weekend, highlighting the severity of the situation.
In Spain, meteorologists at AEMET, the country’s meteorological agency, have issued a strong advisory urging people to avoid alcohol, stay indoors during peak heat hours, and wear loose clothing. Spain’s Health Ministry emphasized the dangers of alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks during heatwaves as they can worsen dehydration.
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Rubén del Campo, AEMET’s spokesperson, described the looming heatwave as “more extreme than typical for mid-June,” noting that 2026 has already been marked by unusually high temperatures—averaging 1.6°C above normal. After a “normal” March, April brought record-breaking warmth, setting the stage for the current conditions.
AEMET forecast temperatures reaching 40°C during this prolonged heat episode, which meets the technical criteria for a heatwave. In Madrid, the football federation decided to close the fan zone in Plaza de Colón, where giant screens were set up to broadcast Spain’s World Cup match against Saudi Arabia, forcing fans to watch elsewhere.
Del Campo added, “From Saturday onwards, temperatures will be between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius above average day and night, with some northern regions experiencing rises over 10 degrees above the norm.” The combination of persistent heat and such extremes has prompted these unprecedented safety measures across major European destinations.