Europe swelters under heatwave, France restricts alcohol consumption

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

June 20, 2026 7:44 AM EDT Updated 42 mins ago


PARIS/BERLIN/ROME, June 20 (Reuters) - A punishing heatwave sweeping across much of Europe prompted a partial alcohol ban in France, ‌nationwide warnings in Germany and the closure of a soccer fan zone in Spain, as temperatures climbed towards record levels.

France was expecting 35 of its 96 departments or regions to declare red heatwave alerts on Sunday with temperatures of 39 ​to 40 degrees Celsius (102-104 Fahrenheit) expected from the southwest through the Paris region into Burgundy, ​with some areas possibly reaching 41C.

After a crisis meeting, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ⁠pre-emptively banned alcohol consumption on Sunday at the annual Fete de la Musique festivals and other ​public events to be held in those 35 regions on Sunday. Authorities in Paris ordered parks to ​remain open around the clock, however.

Heat alerts were declared in most of Germany, with temperatures approaching 38C. The DWD weather service warned that a combination of heat and humidity could trigger severe thunderstorms.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/europe-swelters-under-heatwave-prompting-crisis-talks-france-2026-06-20/

[blm]

1. Wishing a break in the weather for our European DUers.

🫶🏽

[Haggard Celine]

2. A lot of them don't have air conditioning,

so it's even worse for them than it is for us when the temperature gets that high. I hope they're able to beat the heat and survive.

[Aussie105]

3. Homes across northern parts of Europe generally aren't built with heatwave conditions in mind.

40 degrees and high humidity and no AC is a killer.

Drink water, not sugary drinks or alcohol.