Authorities accross Europe have warned of temperatures exceeding 39 and 40 degrees Celsius as a 'heat dome' sets in. Germany also faces the threat of extreme thunderstorms.

Much of Western Europe was sweltering in a gruelling heatwave on Friday with the mercury expected to continue rising in the coming days, shattering temperature records.

Much of Western Europe was baking in a gruelling heatwave on Friday with the mercury expected to continue rising in the coming days, shattering temperature records.

Western Europe sweltered under a punishing heatwave on Friday, with temperatures expected to climb further in the coming days and potentially shatter more records, prompting…

A severe heatwave is sweeping across much of Europe, prompting emergency meetings in France, nationwide warnings in Germany and strains on tourists and residents in Italy.…

This morning, the French Prime Minister called a crisis meeting with 14 of his ministers amid the rising heat, as orange heat warnings became active in 60 of the country's…

The spike in temperatures is being driven by a mass of hot air moving north from the Sahara, fuelled by a strong high-pressure system known as the ‘African anticyclone’.

The temperature spike is being driven by a mass of hot air moving from the Sahara, fuelled by a high-pressure ‘African anticyclone’ system.

France banned alcohol in red-alert areas Sunday, Spain and Germany cancelled sports events and Britain warned of "tropical nights" as Europe sweltered through a heatwave…

A severe heatwave tightened its grip across large parts of Europe on Sunday, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius, prompting health alerts, transport disruptions and…

Authorities accross Europe have warned of temperatures exceeding 39 and 40 degrees Celsius as a 'heat dome' sets in. Germany also faces the threat of extreme thunderstorms.

France, Spain and Germany roll out safety measures amid intensifying heat

People gather at Stonehenge in England on Saturday to celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. ALBERTO PEZZALI/AP

The heat surge around summer solstice, typically the start of the three hottest months of the year, raised concerns that extreme conditions may persist this year.

The severe heatwave prompted nationwide warnings, alcohol bans, transport disruption and signs of strain on wildlife and at tourist hotspots.

The severe heatwave prompted nationwide warnings, alcohol bans, transport disruption and signs of strain on wildlife and at tourist hotspots.

After several days of temperatures above 35C, Italian authorities issued a red alert for June 21 in eight cities