Extreme heat is stifling and keeping Europe on alert with temperatures of over 40 degrees.

Madrid/London, June 30 (EFE).- Schools, emergency services, transportation, and even the legendary Wimbledon tournament have been affected by the heat wave sweltering Europe, an anticyclone from Africa that has sent temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius, especially in southern continental countries.

The heat dome effect, which traps heat close to the ground and prevents it from dissipating even at night, has half of Europe awake, victim of tropical nights (not falling below 20 degrees) and equatorial nights (above 25 degrees) that seem to have no end, as the high temperatures that were supposed to give a break starting Tuesday could last at least until Thursday.

The heat not only keeps all of Spain on alert, but the respective meteorological services of Portugal and Italy have declared a red alert in some areas, which indicates extreme risk, while in France they are speaking of "unprecedented phenomena" and in the United Kingdom and Germany of "extreme" temperatures.

In Portugal, seven districts are on red alert, including Lisbon, which will reach a maximum temperature of 41 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on a day with temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) forecast in several parts of the country, according to the Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (IPMA).

In Italy, 20 cities are on red alert, particularly in the regions of Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, and Veneto, where temperatures could exceed 40 degrees Celsius on Monday, according to the meteorology website ilmeteo.it.

Until Thursday in Spain

The heat wave will continue to hit Spain at least until Thursday, with highs between 36 and 38 degrees in large areas of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands and up to 42-43 degrees in the Guadalquivir and Guadiana rivers (south).

Only the northern third of the peninsula will experience a "significant drop" midweek, but the rest of the country will remain unchanged.

Adding to this warm spell is the possibility of storms during the second half of the week, especially in mountainous areas in the north and east.

The lows will not let up, and tropical nights will recur in many regions, especially in the central, southern, and Mediterranean areas.

Unprecedented phenomena in France

French Minister for Ecological Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher described the current heat waves as "unprecedented phenomena" in the country, in an interview with Sud Radio.

Of the country's 100 departments, 84 are on orange alert, with highs of between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius across most of the country, according to Météo-France, which forecasts this phase will last at least until Thursday.

Some municipalities have closed schools, following the Ministry of Education's instructions, while the Ministry of Health has set up a toll-free number with tips on how to combat the heat.

Trains slowed and Wimbledon pending in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom, especially London and the outskirts of the capital, expects temperatures of around 34 degrees to close out the hottest June on record.

Rail services in the country may be affected, as could the Wimbledon tennis tournament, where long lines were forming to enter the All England Club this morning.

According to the BBC, if temperatures reach 34 degrees, it could be the hottest start to Wimbledon in the tournament's history. Organizers have announced that the "heat rule" is in effect: any player can request a 10-minute break if the temperature is above 30.1 degrees.

Germany is also not spared from "extreme" temperatures, especially along the border with France and in the west and southwest of the country, according to the Meteorological Service (DWD).

The heat wave is likely to culminate on Wednesday with temperatures above 35 degrees, possibly reaching as high as 39 degrees, and tropical nights with temperatures falling below 20 degrees.

Some primary schools in the south of the country already cut back on school hours this Monday due to the heat, and health authorities have already appealed to citizens and businesses to take precautions.

Record altitude of 0 degrees in Switzerland

Switzerland, which is also experiencing its first heat wave (up to 30 degrees during the day and 20 degrees at night), has the country's valleys and flat areas, such as the area around Lake Geneva, being the most affected.

The meteorological service warned of exceptionally high temperatures at altitude, with the zero-degree line reaching 5,200 meters (well above the country's highest peak), a record never before recorded in June and surpassing the 4,912 meters recorded in 2017.

Other countries such as Belgium, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Croatia, and Macedonia are also experiencing unusually hot weather for late June, while high temperatures are easing in Greece, after reaching temperatures of up to 43.2 degrees Celsius in some areas last Thursday and Friday.