Western Europe braces for first major heatwave of summer 2025

A significant heatwave is sweeping across Western Europe, with temperatures forecast to rise more than 10 degrees above seasonal norms. Hundreds of regions could see new May heat records broken during the event.

Western Europe is preparing for its first major heatwave of the summer season, with forecasters warning that temperatures could climb more than 10 degrees Celsius above typical May levels across a wide area of the continent.

Meteorologists say the heat event is expected to affect a large portion of Western Europe simultaneously, making it one of the most significant early-season temperature spikes in recent years. Hundreds of individual regions and localities are at risk of setting new all-time records for May temperatures.

The extreme heat comes as climate scientists continue to warn that such early-season heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense across Europe due to long-term climate change trends. Authorities in affected countries are expected to issue health warnings, particularly for vulnerable populations including the elderly and young children.

Public health officials are urging residents to stay hydrated, seek shade during the hottest parts of the day, and check on neighbours who may be at risk. Emergency services in several countries are being placed on heightened alert ahead of the anticipated peak temperatures.

For Baltic and Nordic countries including Estonia, the heatwave is being monitored closely, though its direct impact is expected to be more limited compared to regions further west and south on the continent.