Europe heat wave red alerts

A severe heat wave gripped Europe in early August 2026, setting national temperature records in Austria (41.2C) and Slovakia (42.2C), and prompting Italy to place all 27 major cities under red alert for the first time this year. The extreme heat fueled wildfires in France and the Balkans, disrupted energy production and transport across the continent, and exposed vulnerabilities in public health, power generation, and infrastructure. In Hungary, record-low Danube water levels forced the Paks nuclear plant to cut output to about 10% of normal, prompting emergency conservation measures including restrictions on freight trains and industrial power use. Germany faced falling Rhine water levels threatening shipping and industry. The heat wave caused at least four deaths in Italy and worsened drought conditions in the Po Valley, affecting agriculture and water supplies.