France, UK and Spain see record temperatures as heatwave grips western Europe

Barbecue bans have also been introduced in cities including Stuttgart and Freiburg in Baden-Württemberg, local media report.

While Spain has experienced baking heat over the last few days, temperatures were expected to start falling on the Iberian peninsula on Wednesday.

But red heat alerts remain in place for parts of northern Spain, with a maximum temperature of 42C possible in parts of the Basque country, forecaster Aemet said.

Spain’s state meteorological agency said the country recorded its highest daily average temperatures in June since at least 1950, with Tuesday’s average of 28.17C breaking the previous 2025 record of 28.01C.

In Italy, meanwhile, 16 provincial capitals are now under red heat alerts, with Latina added to the list on Wednesday, while Bari will be added on Thursday, Italian news agency Ansa said.

The Dutch weather service, the KNMI, has issued a Code Orange weather alert, which refers to a “high chance of dangerous weather” in southern and central areas of the Netherlands from Wednesday until at least Friday.

KNMI said maximum temperatures of 37C were expected, while Friday could see the mercury hit 39C.