Europe’s Scorching Summer Stretches On: Heatwaves Span 5 Months in Athens and Tirana

As global temperatures continue to rise, European cities are grappling with extreme heat for much longer than the traditional summer months. A recent study by Climate Resilience for All reveals that some urban centers in Europe now endure high temperatures for up to five months a year. This extended period of extreme heat is not only reshaping perceptions of seasonal weather but also posing serious health and environmental risks.

The analysis, conducted by the NGO’s meteorological team, evaluated temperature data from 2019 to 2023 across 85 cities worldwide. The researchers focused on identifying the first and last days each city reached 32°C, a threshold for extreme heat known to pose significant dangers. Their findings indicate that “heat seasons” have expanded beyond the conventional summer months and now average 214 days across the cities studied.

In Europe, these prolonged periods of high temperatures are becoming increasingly common. For instance, Athens, Greece, experiences an extended heat season lasting approximately 145 days, stretching from mid-May to early October. Tirana, Albania's capital, follows closely with 143 days of extreme heat. Meanwhile, Lisbon, Portugal, sees its heat season span around 136 days, from late spring to early autumn. Madrid, Spain, faces a heat season of 119 days, running from late May to mid-September.

Paris officials are already preparing for a potential 4°C increase in warming, even though the city currently endures nearly three months of extreme heat, with temperatures above 32°C from mid-June to mid-September. Munich and Warsaw also experience shorter yet significant heat seasons lasting about a month or two.

Extended heat seasons bring numerous challenges, including increased risk of heat-related illnesses, which strains healthcare systems and poses particular threats to vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. According to Kathy Baughman McLeod, CEO of Climate Resilience for All, "This analysis makes it clear: we can no longer treat heat as just a normal part of summer."

One key factor exacerbating this issue is the urban heat island effect, where cities become hotter than surrounding rural areas due to dense infrastructure and limited green space. As cities were never designed to withstand such prolonged heat stress, governments and city planners face urgent challenges in protecting their populations from increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves.

Mitigating the impact of extended heat requires strategic measures such as increasing urban greenery, improving building designs, designating cool refuge areas, and developing robust warning systems. However, despite the growing threat, many governments' planning and response measures remain inadequate.

Baughman McLeod emphasizes the need for mainstream awareness and understanding of extreme heat, urging governments, businesses, and employers to manage their risks and impacts with the urgency they demand. With heat seasons stretching well outside recognized summer months, addressing the escalating crisis of extreme heat becomes imperative for safeguarding public health and infrastructure in European cities.