Schools close, trains cancelled as Europe swelters in record heat

Swimmers sunbath on the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin as France experiences a heatwave in Paris on June 20, 2026.

Much of Europe was preparing Monday for an already fierce heatwave to intensify even further in the coming days, with some countries taking special measures to mitigate its effects.

France recorded heat-related deaths over the weekend. A leading researcher reiterated that human-driven climate change had contributed to the recent record-breaking heatwave.

In France, 49 of the country's 96 mainland departments were on a red alert weather warning, up from 35 over the weekend.

Officials announced the closure of 845 schools on Monday, with another 1,800 set to let students leave earlier than normal.