What are the dangers related to heatwaves?
A heatwave is an event which is characterised by high temperatures over a prolonged period.
Heatwaves can last for two days, a few weeks or months with temperatures rising much higher than on average for the specific region and season. In some regions, a heatwave may be accompanied by high humidity levels, intensifying the heat effects on the human body. In Europe, heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer and intense (during the day and/or night). Hotter days, higher temperatures at night (tropical nights) and an increasing number of humid heatwaves are affecting human health and well-being across Europe.
Resources
Major heatwaves in recent years
1970-2023
Since 1970, extreme heat has been the main cause of weather and climate related deaths in Europe, including more than 70,000 premature deaths during the 2003 heatwave, 61,000 during the 2022 heatwave and 48,000 in 2023.
2003, 2007, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023
Extreme heatwaves occurred across Europe over the years.
Summer 2025
Across large parts of Europe, a severe heatwave extended from June to mid-August. National records for maximum temperatures were broken in Spain and Portugal with temperatures over 46°C.
Understand your risk
Start by understanding your heatwave risks with data maps and tools.
Allows you to quickly assess the risk of water scarcity within your area by simply typing the name of your location.
Climate-ADAPT adaptation dashboard
Provides regional maps and charts, such as past and projected mean temperatures, the evolution of heat-related mortality, and heat exposure of vulnerable groups.
This EU-funded assessment tool helps visualise past, present and future heatwave risks. The tool has been used by regions and cities, such as Lombardy (Italy), La Rioja (Spain) and Oslo or Viken county (Norway) and their respective provinces and municipalities.
Identifies local heat-stress hotspots through real-time scenario analysis, including the impacts of land use, vegetation, and building design. Applied in the Netherlands.
Explore what others are doing
Engage with the EU Covenant of Mayors’ #Cities Refresh
A campaign that aims to inspire cities across Europe to take action against extreme heat. Find relevant case studies, events and useful resources.
Ventilation corridors and green-blue infrastructure
Stuttgart, in Germany, is combating the heat island effect and poor air quality with ventilation corridors and green-blue infrastructure.
Portugal put in place a Contingency Heatwave Plan with preventative actions to be taken when required. Find these and many other examples through case studies and adaptation stories.
Implement concrete actions
The EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change documents actions for reducing the impact of heatwaves, each of them describing costs and benefits, legal aspects for implementation and referring to implemented case studies. Some of the actions which can be implemented at the urban or municipal level are:
- Early warning systems (EWS) | Improve governance and prevent possible diseases and health risks to the population.
- Using water to cope with heat waves in cities | Like reducing the leakages from the water distribution network in Lisbon, Portugal.
- Green spaces and corridors | Natural areas in urban environments provide shade and protection from heat.
- Cool down buildings | Proper building design ensures that citizens are protected from the impacts of rising temperatures.
Assess planned actions
The REGILIENCE self-assessment tool can help avoid negative effects of adaptation actions which increase vulnerability, diminish well-being or undermine sustainable development. It’s available in 10 languages!
Find funding opportunities
Access information on funding sources from EU institutions, agencies, and Member States in the Mission Portal's funding database to support your flood adaptation strategies.
Download the Quick Guide on Heatwaves
A heatwave is an event, which is characterised by high temperatures over a prolonged period. In Europe, heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer and intense (during the day and/or night). Hotter days, higher temperatures at night (tropical nights) and an increasing number of humid heatwaves are affecting human health and well-being across Europe. Download this quick guide for on the ground solutions for heatwaves.