heat waves News

Europe Braces for Heat Following Greek Fires and Swiss Floods

European capitals are bracing for heat wave conditions, following wildfires in Greece and flooding in Switzerland over the weekend. High pressure over southern Scandinavian will bring the highest temperatures this year to the UK, with London and parts of the …

Low Water Levels Hamper Rhine River Shipping in Germany

Low water levels after recent dry weather are preventing cargo vessels from sailing fully loaded on the Rhine river in Germany with surcharges added to the usual freight rates, commodity traders said on Thursday. Low water is hampering shipping on …

Extreme Heat Threatens Global Fuel Security

Searing temperatures from Texas to Tokyo over the summer are the latest reminder of a growing headache for the energy system, as extreme heat becomes a threat to fuel supply. In addition to causing spikes in electricity demand as people …

More Than 600 Firefighters, Water-Dropping Planes Struggle to Control Greece Wildfires

More than 600 firefighters, including reinforcements from several European countries and backed by a fleet of water-dropping planes and helicopters, were battling three major wildfires in Greece Sunday, two of which have been raging for days. A massive blaze in …

Athens Wildfires Burn Part of Forest in Mount Parnitha After Destroying Homes

A wildfire near the Greek capital burned part of the forest in mount Parnitha, after destroying homes and cars, while Athens prepares for another difficult day as authorities have issued a high alert warning for fires on Thursday. The fires …

Wildfire Risk Climbs for Spain as Heat Wave Moves to Iberia

The focus of Europe’s heat is switching to Spain, with a high risk of wildfires in southern parts of the Iberian peninsula. Southern Spain is expected to exceed 40C (104F) on Monday, with regions around Cordoba under alert for hot …

Extreme Weather Risks May Make Parts of the World ‘Uninsurable’

Soaring global temperatures may make large parts of the world “uninsurable,” according to Spain’s largest insurance firm. Climate change “has the potential of changing the insurance business profoundly and making part of the world uninsurable,” Gonzalo Gortazar, CaixaBank SA’s chief …

Update: Greece Fights Almost 200 Wildfires as Wind Raises Risk in Mediterranean

Greece is fighting almost 200 wildfires as strengthening winds put a sting in the tail of the Mediterranean’s fading heat wave. More villages in mainland Greece were evacuated on Thursday as blazes threatened, while two people died in Velestino. A …

Human-Induced Climate Change Plays ‘Overwhelming’ Role in July Heatwaves: Scientists

Human-induced climate change has played an “absolutely overwhelming” role in the extreme heatwaves that have swept across North America, Europe and China this month, according to an assessment by scientists published on Tuesday. Throughout July, extreme weather has caused havoc …

Greece Wildfires Raise Questions for Tourists About Their Travel Insurance Cover

Wildfires and evacuations on the Greek island of Rhodes, and a heat wave blasting much of southern Europe, have raised questions for tourists about their travel insurance coverage. As the threat of fires remains high throughout Greece and heat continues …