How extreme weather will affect your European holiday – and how to prepare ...Middle East

This week’s European heatwave extended beyond the obvious hot spots into the Low Countries and Germany.

In France, it prompted schools and the top of the Eiffel Tower to close, while outdoor working was temporarily banned in parts of Italy, wildfires suspended flights at a busy Turkish airport and a landslide closed a major cross-border railway line between France and Italy.

The effects of extreme weather are being felt across Europe, particularly during the peak summer holiday season. Intrepid Travel’s global environmental impact manager Dr Susanne Etti says that last year, the company dealt with 151 climate-related incidents on its trips – that number has already doubled so far this year.

Intrepid is no longer operating its most active trips in Spain and Portugal during July and August, instead adding more departures in spring and early autumn for southern Europe trips.

square SIMON KELNER

I have just got back from France – the heat is making holidays in Europe impossible

Yet a recent survey by the Safer Tourism Foundation found that only one in five people said that temperatures would need to exceed 40°C before they reconsidered travelling to their chosen destination.

Europe is the fastest-warming continent, according to the World Meteorological Organization, and is now experiencing “serious impacts” from extreme weather.

Associated weather events are also a cause of concern. The latest WTM Global Travel Report, produced in association with Tourism Economics, found that 29 per cent of travellers from key global markets avoided visiting a destination last year due to concerns about inclement or extreme weather. More than two in five Gen Z travellers said they had reconsidered where to go because of extreme weather.

While it’s worth keeping up-to-date with local weather and news in European holiday destinations, these are the extreme weather events to prepare for.

A record number of heat alerts were issued in France this week, where temperatures reached 40°C in Paris. The heatwave has been felt right across Europe with similar temperatures in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Albania and highs of 46°C recorded in western Andalucia, Spain.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that extreme heat is becoming the new normal, warning that planet is becoming “more dangerous.”

Extreme heat can be deadly, and is particularly dangerous for people over 65, those with chronic health conditions, pregnant women and children. Risks include dehydration, overheating, exhaustion and heatstroke.

Temperatures have exceeded 40°C in parts of Spain recently (Photo: Carlos Ciudad Photography/Getty Images)

The Safer Tourism Foundation study warned that most travellers do not understand the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which could delay critical medical treatment.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include muscle cramping, headaches and dizziness. It can be self-treated by resting, cooling down, and hydrating.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Symptoms include confusion, hot dry skin and body temperatures over 40°C.

Tips for coping with extreme heat start with following the locals’ lead by avoiding going outside during the hottest hours of the day, as well as monitoring local advice and warnings.

Applying a high SPF sun cream, or ideally seeking shade, is advisable, as is carrying a refillable bottle of water to stay hydrated throughout the day.

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The Association of British Insurers says that a travel insurance policy will cover you in the normal way if you fall ill due to extreme weather but advises checking the scope of the policy. Carrying a valid Ehic or Ghic card is useful in addition to a travel insurance policy for accessing state-provided healthcare in Europe and some other countries.

However, you are unlikely to be able to cancel a trip because of a heatwave without forfeiting the cost, unless there is official advice not to travel to the destination. Check with your travel provider first.

High temperatures can also disrupt infrastructure such as transport at short notice. In 2022, Luton Airport’s runway buckled in the heat. Bernard Lavelle, an aviation expert, says that aircraft are also less efficient in extreme heat – they have to carry more fuel: “to counter this increased weight, passengers and or bags may need to be removed.”

Keep up-to-date with service providers via their websites or social media accounts.

Drought

Drought conditions are affecting large parts of central and northern Europe as well as the eastern Mediterranean. According to the European Commission, seasonal forecasts point to a warmer than usual 2025 summer with dry conditions in a very large region extending from the UK to the Black Sea.

If conditions persist, holidaymakers could face water restrictions, such as public beach showers, golf courses and hosepipes.

Water levels are also particularly low on the Danube and Rhine, both popular rivers for cruises. There is potential for disruption if levels continue to fall. Cruise lines may alter the itinerary, or in extreme circumstances, cancel the voyage and offer a refund.

These are common in summer, but becoming more dangerous, frequent and widespread, as demonstrated by the July 2023 wildfires on Rhodes. Thousands of holidaymakers on the Greek island were evacuated from their hotels and repatriated to the UK by tour operators as high winds fanned the flames.

This week, Izmir airport in Turkey was forced to close because of localised wildfires, while fires have also broken out in Crete, Italy and Germany.

The Global Wildfire Information System tracks outbreaks on a map, and also forecasts fire danger: gwis.jrc.ec.europa.eu.

If there’s cause for concern in your destination, stay informed through your airline, tour operator and accommodation provider, as well as local news outlets, government and fire service websites, as well as country-specific advice on gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

During an outbreak, comply with official advice from local authorities, emergency services and fire departments. Monitor air quality, particularly if you suffer from respiratory problems – it could be worth packing FFP3 grade face masks.

For travel insurance, check whether disruption due to wildfires is included under natural disasters.

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and dangerous (Photo: Beata Whitehead/Getty Images)

Thunderstorms

These can play havoc with airspace, forcing late-notice restrictions that can delay and cancel flights. In May this year, nearly half a million journeys were disrupted in European airspace as a result of adverse weather. Last year, weather caused more than a third of en-route flight delays in Europe.

Bernard Lavelle cautions: “The latest forecasts predict twice the level of en-route delays for 2025 than were previously predicted last year.”

If your flight is disrupted by weather, you are normally entitled to rerouting at the earliest opportunity – as well as food and drink depending on the length of the delay – or a full refund in the event of a cancellation. Compensation due to weather disruption is unlikely.

Earlier this week, torrential rain, flooding and mudslides in the Haute-Savoie region of south-eastern France caused road closures as well as on the high-speed rail line between Paris and Turin in Italy. The line is expected to partially reopen on Saturday, but service disruption is likely until mid-July.

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Further heavy rain and thunderstorms caused by hot and humid air could see similar events taking place across Europe. Last October, the flash floods in Valencia hit the Spanish railway network and proved deadly for more than 220 people in the region.

Travel insurance can cover costs incurred due to some natural disasters but in some cases, you’ll have to add it as an optional extra – scrutinise policy wording to understand what is and isn’t covered, such as pre-departure cancellation or trip curtailment due to a natural disaster.

Consider that you may have to move accommodation, change travel arrangements at short notice due to delays or cancellations, seek medical treatment, or replace lost or damaged possessions.

Hurricanes

Beyond Europe, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts that this year will be an above-average Atlantic hurricane season, with between 13 and 19 named storms with winds of 39mph or higher. Of those, between six and 10 are predicted to become hurricanes.

Aircraft can fly over a hurricane but it is not advisable; instead they are often rerouted, which can take longer, or delayed to avoid the storm. Airports in affected areas can also be closed.

Similarly, hotels and resorts may have to close at short notice.

Hurricanes can also cause flooding, storm surges and rip tides on fair weather days. Pay attention to beach warning flags and lifeguard advice.

If you are in or due to travel to an area affected by a storm, the National Hurricane Centre has up-to-date tracking and advisories: nhc.noaa.gov

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