A crippling heatwave has struck across Europe as temperatures continue to climb to record June highs – seeing crisis meetings prompted in France, weather warnings issued in Germany and leaving tourists sweltering in the Italian sun. 

This morning, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu called a crisis meeting with 14 of his ministers amid the rising heat, as orange heat warnings became active in 60 of the country’s departments. 

It came as Meteo France, the country’s national weather agency, warned the escalating weather conditions would persist into next week – and described the heat as comparable to the 2019 heatwave that saw temperatures in excess of 45 degrees Celsius.

Forecasters have predicted that temperatures of 39 to 40C will stretch from the southwest of France, climbing through Paris and into Burgundy – with some areas possibly reaching a scorching 41C. 

Temperatures are expected to reach their peak on Monday, potentially reaching record highs. 

Authorities in the country have quickly moved to ease the impact of the rising heat on residents, with Deputy Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Gregoire ordering parks in the nation’s capital to remain open around the clock. 

In Germany, similar conditions have been reported by Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), the country’s official weather service. 

Sunbathers in Marseille, France. This morning, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu called a crisis meeting with 14 of his ministers amid the rising heat across the country

Youngsters cooled off in the Fontaine de l’Observatoire in Paris, as forecasters predict temperatures of 39 to 40C to sweep across the city and into Burgundy

Children were spotted cooling off in a fountain in Munich, Germany, as temperatures across the nation climbed to 38C in some areas

People swimming in Berlin’s Spree Canal amid the country’s escalating heatwave 

Tourists queued to cool off using a public drinking fountain outside the Colosseum in Rome, Italy

Near-nationwide heat alerts have been issued as temperatures were recorded approaching 38C in some areas. 

The DWD weather service has also cautioned that a combination of the rising heat and humidity could trigger severe thunderstorms across the nation. 

In Italy, temperatures reaching 36 to 37C have left tourists and residents across the country’s major cities sweltering in the sun. 

Outside Rome’s Colosseum, visitors were made to queue for entry in the blazing sun, with some seeking respite in the cooler underground areas beneath the half-hidden remains of the Temple of Claudius.

Others were spotted cooling off using water from a public drinking fountain outside the ancient site.

Heading further north to Bologna – one of the hottest cities in the peninsula – people were photographed splashing water onto their faces to dull the heat at the central 16th-century Fountain of Neptune. 

Tourists were also captured sheltering in the shade of nearby porticoes.

The ongoing heatwave has also hit Spain in full force, with red and orange weather alerts in place for Monday and Tuesday – predicted to be the hottest days. 

On Tuesday, temperatures reaching 37 to 39C are expected throughout the interior of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, according to Spanish Met Office AEMET. 

Across the Tagus, Guadiana, and Guadalquivir valleys, temperatures will swell to a torrid 40 to 42C. 

Tourists used umbrellas to protect themselves against the sun in Barcelona’s Park Guell. Red and orange weather alerts in place in the country for Monday and Tuesday

A woman was spotted shading her head with her fan at the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem, during the heatwave in Lisbon

An Amber weather alert has been issued by the Met Office for Monday and Tuesday in some parts of the UK

The Met Office has warned of extreme heat in the south of England and parts of Wales and the Midlands on Monday and Tuesday

A similar story is also predicted for neighbouring Portugal, as the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) predict the country’s hottest temperatures to come on Tuesday and Wednesday at a whopping 42C. 

And Britain will be no less affected by the rising heat. Temperatures are expected to climb to 34C on Monday and Tuesday and warnings of ‘tropical nights’  have been issued.

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The Met Office has updated their Amber weather warning for the beginning of the week to include the Midlands, eastern Wales, alongside most of southern England and southeastern Wales. 

On Saturday, Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates, said: ‘While heatwave criteria will be met for some in the south and southeast of England over the weekend, with temperatures into the low 30s Celsius possible, the warmth will expand and intensify at the start of next week, which, coupled with high temperatures overnight and high humidity, leads to potential impacts.

‘Temperatures are forecast to reach 32°C on Monday, climbing further to 35°C on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

‘By Thursday temperatures are currently forecast to drop slightly, with a peak of 34°C more confined to the southeast of England. 

‘Importantly high humidity will also mean this feels close, warmer and more uncomfortable for many. 

‘Tropical nights, where the temperature doesn’t drop below 20°C are also likely for some, especially in urban areas.’