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Europe Records Highest Temperatures Since 1947 as Air Conditioner Sales Rise
France's national temperature indicator reached 29.8C on Tuesday, the highest since measurements began in 1947. Air conditioner and fan sales increased sharply across the continent as health authorities issued heat alerts for multiple countries.
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France's national temperature indicator reached 29.8C on Tuesday, the highest reading since measurements began in 1947. The indicator averages daytime and nighttime temperatures across 30 stations. The heat wave has prompted increased demand for cooling equipment.
Hypermarket operator Carrefour sold 30,000 air conditioning units by 6:30 pm on Monday, according to the company. Sales on Amazon nearly doubled last week compared with the same period in 2025, and electronics retailer Fnac Darty reported double-digit growth.
Italy's health ministry declared a red heat wave alert in 16 cities for Wednesday, including Milan and Rome. Four additional French departments will move to the highest alert level on Wednesday, bringing the total number of departments under orange or red alerts above 90 percent of the French population.
Poland's weather service issued high-level heat warnings for the western part of the country from Thursday to Saturday. Croatia placed its Adriatic coast under red alert for Friday and Saturday. Temperatures between 39C and 41C are forecast for Wednesday across much of France from Brittany to the Paris region and in the southwest.
The heat wave is expected to extend into eastern Europe in coming days.
