Barcelona Records Hottest June in 100+ Years, France Shuts Eiffel Tower Summit as Heatwave Grips Europe

Barcelona has recorded its hottest month of June since records began over a century ago, Spain’s national weather service said, reported Associated Press.

The Can Fabra Observatory, located on a hill overlooking Barcelona, reported an average temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, breaking records since 1914. The previous hottest average for June was 25.6 degrees Celsius in 2003.

The same weather station said that a single-day high of 37.9 degrees Celsius for June was recorded on Monday, June 30.

Barcelona is usually spared the worst heat in Spain, due to its location between hills and the Mediterranean in the country’s northeastern corner. But most of the country has been gripped by the first heatwave of the year.

A similar heatwave has gripped France and the rest of Europe, marking the first major heatwave this summer with health warnings in effect from July 1.

The national weather agency in France, Météo-France issued red alert for several departments with Paris region hit hard. As a precautionary measure, the Eiffel Tower’s summit was closed until July 3, while visitors to the Eiffel Tower without tickets were asked to postpone their visit. More than 1,300 schools were expected to be partially or fully closed.

Météo-France also warned an increased risk of wildfires due to the lack of rain in June, recent surge in temperature and consequent drought-stricken soil.

Climate experts warn that future summers are likely to be hotter than any recorded to date. By 2100, France could be up to 4 degrees Celsius warmer, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius expected every year and extreme heat spikes potentially reaching 50 degrees Celsius, reported Associated Press.

EU Proposes 2040 Climate Target

The European Commission on July 2 announced its plan to amend the EU Climate Law to reduce the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, compared to 1990 levels.

The target “will give certainty to investors, [spur] innovation, strengthen industrial leadership of our businesses, and increase Europe's energy security,” stated the Commission.

To ease the burden on some of the key domestic industries in Europe, “greater flexibilities across sectors to help achieve targets in a cost-effective and socially fair way,” it added.