When will the heatwave in Europe end? Latest forecast for France, Spain and Greece as temperatures soar

When will the heatwave in Europe end? Latest forecast for France, Spain and Greece as temperatures soar Authorities said at least 48 people have died as a result of the heatwave in France - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Europe is in the midst of an extreme heatwave which has already caused dozens of deaths as temperatures surpassed 40C earlier this week. The record-breaking heatwave has closed schools, slowed down trains, knocked out electricity for tens of thousands of households and forced farmers to harvest grain at night. The Eiffel Tower was forced to close and 68,000 households were left without electricity in France as the heatwave raised temperatures beyond 43C. At least 48 people have died in France, including 40 who drowned, as the country suffered its hottest day since records began on Tuesday, with an average temperature of 29.8C. The extreme heat is also affecting Spain and the UK, where record-breaking temperatures of 40C are expected in London on Wednesday. Germany was bracing for temperatures to peak at 37C, with highs concentrating in the southwest, after six people drowned over the weekend while seeking relief from the extreme heat. Thunderstorms were expected later on Tuesday, before temperatures push towards the high 30s on Wednesday. Here’s a look at the most affected countries in the heatwave. France France has suffered the worst impacts of the heatwave so far, with vast swathes of the country’s west staying above 40C for several days. On Tuesday, it recorded its hottest day since records began nearly 80 years ago, peaking at 44.3C in the southwestern town of Pissos. Temperatures as high as 43C have been recorded on Wednesday, with highs of 40C in the capital of Paris. The capital won’t see a significant drop until Sunday, when highs of 30C are forecast, finally seeing some reprieve at the beginning of next week when it drops into the mid-twenties. But areas of the country’s southeast - which currently is not as scorching as parts of the west - will continue sweltering as temperatures rise up to the high 30s early next week. Spain Two elderly people died of heatstroke in Spain, which has experienced extreme temperatures since the weekend exceeding 40 C. Temperatures there were starting to slightly ease on Wednesday into the 30s, before returning to more bearable conditions by the weekend. But the weather will take another turn towards the end of the weekend and into next week, with temperatures returning to the low 40s in the southwest and in parts of southern Portugal. A long-range forecast by Ventusky shows that some areas of southern Spain, near Sevilla, could hit as high as 45C on 4 July. Italy In Italy, conditions were expected to worsen further, especially across central and northern regions, with the heatwave likely to peak between Sunday and Monday, meteorologists said. Temperatures could reach 41 C between Tuscany and Emilia, while in coastal areas such as Liguria the combination of heat and extreme humidity could drive perceived temperatures as high as 45 C. Italy's health ministry issued its highest heat alert for 16 cities, from Florence and Milan to Rome, Turin and Verona. Germany In Germany, authorities are bracing for potentially record-setting temperatures next week. So far, despite undeniable hot temperatures, it has not suffered the worst of the heatwave. But later this week, temperatures will drive up as warm air moves northeastwards from France. Come the weekend, much of eastern and western Germany could see temperatures hit as high as 40C. On Monday, temperatures will plummet to the low twenties as the heatwave moves into eastern Europe. Greece Greece has avoided the worst of the heatwave this week, but is preparing for temperatures to drive up going into the weekend. By the middle of next week, parts of the country’s north, around Thessaloniki, and south west, could see temperatures of up to 40C. The capital of Athens will be cooler, remaining in the low 30s. UK In the UK, at least 1,000 schools will be either closed or partially closed over the next two days due to a rare red heat warning in England and Wales. Forecasters said temperatures could hit 40C on Wednesday and Thursday in some spots, with a red warning from the Met Office for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham, as well as in Brighton, Portsmouth and Southampton. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments