In the first week of July, the earth smashed records for the hottest days ever recorded. In Europe, temperatures are soaring above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, wildfires have been raging throughout Greece, and certain parts of southern Italy saw record-breaking temperatures of 117 degrees on July 19. Temperatures for the weekend ahead are forecasted to hit 111 degrees in certain parts of Europe.
The harsh conditions mean some US travelers are rethinking their summer vacation plans across Europe. Below, we take a look at the latest information on the heat wave and advice to help Americans decide whether to cancel or rebook their travel this summer.
Is it safe to travel to Europe in the heat wave?
Flights and hotels on the continent are continuing to operate as normal, but travelers are being told to drink lots of water, keep reapplying high-factor SPF, and avoid the sun in the middle of the day. On July 20, the UK Foreign Office issued a new alert to its citizens of the extreme temperatures in Greece and Spain and the continued risk of wildfires in Greece. (US officials haven’t issued any warnings yet.)
“Forest fires often occur during the summer months across Greece due to the dry and hot weather,” the UK government alert says. “In the case of wildfires, the situation can change quickly, so you should stay up to date with official advice and alerts by subscribing to the Civil Protection’s SMS or email service, or via ‘112 Greece’ on Twitter.” The alert also urged tourists to check in with their travel providers for the latest information before embarking on their trips.
Americans should also keep in mind that air conditioning is not as commonplace in Europe as it is in the US. Many older or historic buildings and homes are not equipped with AC units, which could make it difficult to keep it as cool indoors as some might be used to.
Which European countries are most impacted by the heat wave?
Much of southern Europe has been affected, including Italy, Spain, and Greece. Earlier this week, thousands of people were evacuated from Croatia, Greece, Switzerland, and the Canary Islands of Spain due to wildfires, according to the New York Times.
