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Boundaries of Acceptability: Where They Hold, Where They Don't?

Scorching temperatures in Athens hit 40 degrees Celsius, a chilly front sweeps over Mallorca, and massive forest fires ravage dry Cyprus, offering a mixed weather experience across Europe's popular vacation spots.

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3 min read
Legitimacy in varying locations: determining acceptable and unacceptable territories.
Legitimacy in varying locations: determining acceptable and unacceptable territories.

Boundaries of Acceptability: Where They Hold, Where They Don't?

Extreme Heat Sweeps Across Southern and Western Europe

As summer continues, extreme heat and heat warnings are predominantly affecting Southern and Western Europe, with regional variations.

In the Southern Balkans, including Serbia and Greece, a historic heatwave saw temperatures soar to a staggering 44 °C on July 26, 2025. However, a cold wave is now bringing cooler air, marking the end of the heatwave in this area [3].

Spain, Portugal, and parts of France have faced severe heat since early June, with temperatures reaching up to 45 °C in Spain and Portugal and 43 °C in France. This heat dome has persisted into early July, trapping hot, dry air over these regions [1][2]. Portugal, Italy, and Greece have also been heavily impacted by extreme heat and related red alerts at the start of July [2].

By late July, a cold wave has swept over parts of western, central Europe, and the Mediterranean, including eastern Spain, southern Germany, Alpine regions, Italy, and the western Balkans, causing temperatures to drop significantly, by 4-8 °C below normal, providing some relief [3].

Meanwhile, Turkey has set a new temperature record of 50.5 °C, indicating ongoing extreme heat in parts of the eastern Mediterranean region [4].

Key regions with recent or ongoing extreme heat include southern Iberia (Spain and Portugal), southwestern France, and Turkey. The southern Balkans and much of central and western Europe are now experiencing a cooling phase after previous high temperatures [1][3][4].

Current Conditions

  • Around Montpellier in France, temperatures could rise to up to 31 degrees in the coming days.
  • In Cyprus, tourist destinations on the coast are not affected by the fire, but the long-standing drought and heat increase the risk of large fires.
  • In Turkey, heat warnings are in place for almost the entire country, with Istanbul expected to have temperatures around 40 degrees this weekend. Antalya could exceed 45 degrees on Friday.
  • In Turkey, the summer is the driest in years, and the combination of heat, drought, and wind is fueling the spread of fires.
  • In Athens, Greece, many tourists and employees suffer from sleep disturbances due to heat, and the Acropolis is closing during midday hours due to heat risk.
  • On the Greek islands, the weather is more pleasant compared to Athens, but a forest fire is currently raging, claiming two lives.
  • In Cyprus, a forest fire is also causing concern, and the weather is significantly hotter in the south of the island.
  • In southern Italy and on the islands, it remains significantly hotter, with Naples reaching temperatures around 36 degrees.
  • In Mallorca, Spain, the current temperature is around 30 degrees. The weather service has not yet issued an orange heat warning level for Mallorca, but significant heat above 30 degrees is expected to return at the beginning of August.
  • Repeated showers and thunderstorms are expected in northern Italy, especially in Lombardy, Tuscany, along the Alps, and the Apennines.
  • In Sardinia, the sea is expected to be somewhat agitated on the west coast.
  • In Izmir, Turkey, water will be shut off every night from Friday for seven hours due to water shortage.

Travel Advisory

  • German tourist Jette Minks from Bottmersdorf is currently vacationing in Mallorca, escaping the cold and rain in Germany, but she is disappointed with the rain in Mallorca as it spoils her remaining beach days.
  • Tourists should inform themselves about local weather reports in Sardinia and Sicily, as the heat remains significant in these areas.

Sources

[1] BBC News. (2025, July 12). Europe heatwave: Temperatures set to soar again. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57862629

[2] The Guardian. (2025, July 1). Europe heatwave: record-breaking temperatures hit Spain, Portugal and Greece. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/01/europe-heatwave-record-breaking-temperatures-hit-spain-portugal-greece

[3] The Weather Channel. (2025, July 23). Cold wave to end historic European heatwave. Retrieved from https://www.weather.com/en-US/world/news/news/2025-07-23-cold-wave-to-end-historic-european-heatwave

[4] The Weather Channel. (2025, July 19). Turkey sets new heat record as Europe heatwave continues. Retrieved from https://www.weather.com/en-US/world/news/news/2025-07-19-turkey-sets-new-heat-record-as-europe-heatwave-continues

Travelers in Mallorca, Spain may experience more heat in the coming days, with temperatures predicted to reach up to 31 degrees. Meanwhile, tourists visiting Istanbul, Turkey should be aware of heat warnings in place for almost the entire country, with temperatures expected to reach around 40 degrees this weekend. Considering the current weather conditions, an individual's lifestyle and travel plans should take into account the extreme heat and related travel advisories across Europe and the eastern Mediterranean region.

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