Climate & Environment
Europe heatwave to put 150 million over 35C, AFP says
More than 150 million people in Europe are in areas forecast to exceed 35C on Friday as the continent's latest heatwave spreads, according to AFP calculations.
The areas most affected are in France, Germany, Spain and Italy. AFP also calculated that around 350 million people in Europe, excluding Turkey, are set to experience at least 30C on Friday.
The analysis was based on German weather service forecasts and 2025 population projections from the Joint Research Centre.
AFP calculated that temperatures are set to climb above 35C in regions of mainland France home to 46 million people. It also calculated that more than 10 million people in Belgium, 34 million people in western Germany and 12 million people in the Netherlands face similar temperatures.
In southern Europe, AFP calculated that areas home to 24 million people in Spain and 18 million in Italy are forecast to exceed 35C, fewer than on Thursday. The UK was forecast to cool, though southeast England was expected to remain above 30C.
AFP said it used a method similar to that of Austrian NGO Klimadashboard, cross-referencing population density with a Deutscher Wetterdienst forecast model. Klimadashboard says the model does not fully capture urban heat-island effects and likely underestimates the number of people affected in dense cities.
Update
AFP calculated that regions of mainland France home to 46 million people are forecast to exceed 35C on Friday.
AFP calculated that more than 10 million people in Belgium, 34 million in western Germany and 12 million in the Netherlands face similar temperatures.
AFP calculated that regions home to 24 million people in Spain and 18 million in Italy are set to exceed 35C, fewer than on Thursday.
Klimadashboard said the analysis likely underestimates people affected in dense urban areas because the model does not fully capture heat-island effects.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 August 2026 at 10:10:46 UTC.
Update
AFP calculations put more than 150 million people in Europe in areas forecast to exceed 35C on Friday.
AFP calculated that about 350 million people, around three in five European residents excluding Turkey, were forecast to see temperatures above 30C on Friday.
The areas especially affected on Friday were identified as France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 August 2026 at 08:42:04 UTC.
Update
AFP analysis said more than 150 million people in Europe were set for temperatures above 35C on Friday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 August 2026 at 08:32:22 UTC.
Update
AFP calculated that regions of France home to 50 million people are forecast to exceed 35C on Thursday.
AFP calculated that 29 million people in Italy, 25 million in Spain and 23 million in the UK are forecast to face temperatures above 35C.
The UK Met Office said Tuesday that the country was on track to record its hottest ever summer.
Klimadashboard said the model may underestimate exposure in dense urban areas because it does not fully capture urban heat-island effects.
Source note: AFP news report published on 13 August 2026 at 10:07:02 UTC.
Update
AFP calculated that temperatures are forecast to exceed 30C for nearly three in five European residents, excluding Turkey, or about 340 million people, on Thursday.
AFP highlighted France, Italy, Spain and the UK among areas home to more than 135 million people forecast to exceed 35C.
AFP said its results were consistent with the Austrian NGO Klimadashboard.
Source note: AFP news report published on 13 August 2026 at 09:12:22 UTC.
Update
AFP analysis says more than 135 million people in Europe are set to face temperatures above 35C on Thursday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 13 August 2026 at 08:53:48 UTC.
Update
AFP calculated that regions of France home to 30 million people are forecast to exceed 35C on Wednesday.
Similar temperatures are forecast for 29 million people in Italy and 21 million in Spain.
Temperatures above 30C are expected for 43 million people in the United Kingdom.
The Met Office said Tuesday that the United Kingdom was on track to record its hottest summer ever.
AFP described its calculation method and noted that the model may underestimate exposure in dense urban areas.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 10:17:08 UTC.
Update
AFP calculated that areas home to at least 92 million people are set for temperatures above 35C.
France, Italy and Spain are highlighted as particularly affected.
Temperatures above 30C are forecast for more than half of Europe's population, excluding Turkey, or about 300 million people.
The analysis used German weather service forecasts and 2025 population projections from the Joint Research Centre, with results consistent with Klimadashboard.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 09:32:53 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The calculations are based on forecasts and population projections, not measured exposure for every person.
Urban heat-island effects may mean the number of people affected in dense cities is underestimated.
Source
AFP news report published on .