France has introduced alcohol bans across 35 of its 101 departments, including Paris, as a rare red weather warning is declared amid fears of temperatures soaring to 45C. The popular annual Fete De La Musique, scheduled for this weekend, has been cancelled to protect public safety.
Alcohol Ban in France
The French government has banned the consumption of alcohol at state-run events in affected areas, citing dehydration risks during the extreme heat. The measure aims to keep people safe as the country braces for unprecedented average temperatures.
Spain's Extreme Precautions
In Spain, meteorologists at AEMET have urged people to take "extreme precautions." Spain's Health Ministry advises avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks, which can worsen dehydration. The ministry recommends staying indoors during the hottest part of the day and wearing loose-fitting clothing as temperatures exceed 40C.
Rubén del Campo, spokesperson for AEMET, warned: "We're already on the brink of this summer's first heatwave," adding that conditions are more extreme than typical for mid-June. AEMET reported that 2026 has been "extremely warm," with an average temperature of 14°C, about 1.6°C above normal. Spring began with a normal March, followed by an extremely warm April with record-breaking heat.
Heatwave Threshold and Fan Zone Closure
AEMET said temperatures would reach 40C, meeting the technical threshold for a heatwave. The Spanish football federation closed a fan zone with giant screens in Madrid's Plaza de Colon square, forcing fans to watch Spain's World Cup match against Saudi Arabia elsewhere.
Del Campo added: "Given the high temperatures expected, the persistence of the spell and the geographical area affected, it is likely that we are facing the first heatwave of this summer. From Saturday onwards, there will be very intense heat, with temperatures between 5 and 10° higher than normal for this time of year, both day and night, and even more than 10° above normal in parts of the northern half of the mainland."
