PARIS/BERLIN/ROME: A severe heatwave is sweeping across much of Europe, prompting emergency planning in France, widespread weather alerts in Germany, and growing pressure on residents and tourists in Italy as temperatures approach record levels.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was scheduled to hold a crisis meeting after the national weather agency, Météo France, warned that the extreme heat could continue into the following week. The agency said the conditions were comparable to those seen during major heatwaves in 2003 and 2019.

Forecasters said temperatures of 39° to 40° Celsius were expected across a broad stretch of France this week, from the southwest through the Paris region and into Burgundy. Some areas could reach 41°C.

Temperatures were expected to peak and match historic highs.

Germany also faced heat warnings across much of the country, with temperatures nearing 38 °C. The German weather service, DWD, warned that the combination of high heat and humidity could lead to severe thunderstorms.

In Italy, temperatures of 36 °C to 37°C were disrupting daily routines and making sightseeing difficult in several cities. Tourists in Rome queued in the intense sunlight outside the Colosseum, while others sought cooler conditions in the underground beneath the partially hidden remains of the Temple of Claudius.

In Bologna, one of Italy's hottest cities, people cooled themselves at the 16th-century Fountain of Neptune and gathered in the shade of the city's covered porticoes.

In Warsaw, people headed to popular summer spots along the Vistula River to escape the heat.

Scientists say climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and more intense across Europe, increasing the risk of health emergencies and economic disruption during the summer.

Authorities in Paris moved to reduce the impact on residents, with Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire ordering parks to remain open around the clock.

The heatwave is also raising concerns about its effect on economic activity. Bank of France Governor Emmanuel Moulin said the immediate impact on growth was "somewhat ambiguous," as extreme heat can reduce productivity while also increasing energy consumption.

However, he warned that heatwaves weigh on economic activity over the medium term.