In Europe, extreme heat and worsening drought are triggering wildfires and prompting urgent weather alerts across multiple countries. Scientists warn this crisis signals a new era of climate-driven drought, threatening food security, ecosystems, and economies. Germany recorded its hottest day of the year, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius and rising wildfire risks.
Slovakia issued red alerts as highs reach 38 degrees Celsius, while Croatia, Romania, and the Netherlands also face intense heat. Spain saw its hottest June on record, with a deadly wildfire claiming two lives in La Segarra. Slovenia reported its hottest and driest June ever, receiving just 24 per cent of average rainfall.
A new report titled Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025 presents a stark picture. The report warns that drought has become one of the most widespread and damaging crises of our time.
The report notes that the frequency of global droughts increased by 30 per cent between 2000 and 2019. The report warns that drought is already costing some countries up to 10 per cent of their GDP annually, and may soon disrupt energy grids, food supply chains, and entire ecosystems.
Germany is experiencing what may be its hottest day of the year on Wednesday, with temperatures forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius, according to the German Weather Service, which has issued extreme heat warnings across much of the country and highlighted a rising risk of wildfires, especially in the southeast.
Similar conditions are unfolding across Central Europe. In the Czech Republic, the national meteorological institute warned of “very high temperatures” and increased fire danger, with some regions expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius.
Prague’s emergency services have already responded to multiple heat-related incidents, and a fire ban remains in effect.
Slovakia’s meteorological authority issued its highest-level red alert for 10 districts on Thursday, forecasting highs up to 38 degrees Celsius as warm air masses from the west intensify the heat.
Neighboring Croatia and Romania are also on alert, with peak temperatures expected to reach 39 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius, respectively.
In the Netherlands, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute confirmed the country’s first official heatwave in three years. De Bilt, the national reference station, recorded five consecutive days above 30 degrees Celsius, prompting a code orange alert in the southeastern provinces.
Southern Europe is faring no better. Spain continues to endure a record-breaking heatwave, with June 2025 confirmed as the country’s hottest month on record.
The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET reported an average monthly temperature of 23.6 degrees Celsius, hotter than typical July and August averages. Tragically, two farmers died on Tuesday in a wildfire that scorched 5,000 hectares in La Segarra, northeast Spain.
In Slovenia, the Environment Agency (ARSO) noted that June 2025 was not only the hottest but also the driest month since records began, with rainfall just 24 percent of the monthly average.
Heatwaves continue in Croatia, where the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) forecast maximum temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and 39 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
Bosnia and Herzegovina issued an orange weather warning for July 3 and July 4, with temperatures expected to reach between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius. Meteorologist Bakir Krajinovic from the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute said that June 2025 was unprecedented in the country’s measurement history, with zero rainfall recorded at meteorological stations in cities such as Tuzla and Mostar.
