Swiss cinemas and regional authorities have organised free daytime screenings for seniors over 65 to provide relief during an intense heatwave sweeping the country [1, 2, 3]. Since June 18, around 650 seniors have attended the air-conditioned cinema venues in Geneva and other regions, offering a cool refuge from soaring temperatures [1, 2, 3]. "The hotter it gets, the more the cinema becomes a place of refuge," said Laurent Dutoit, a cinema manager [1]. 82-year-old attendee Daniel Gillieron described the screenings as "fantastic because it allows us not only to get out of the house and go to the cinema, but also to have an air-conditioned theatre, and to have a good time" [2].

The heatwave has pushed daytime temperatures above 36°C in parts of Switzerland, with some lowland areas exceeding 35°C [1, 2, 3]. Basel recorded a historic June high of 38°C on June 25, breaking an 80-year-old national record from 1947 [4]. MeteoSwiss issued the highest-level heat alerts across large parts of the country and forecast that extreme conditions will continue until June 29 or early next week [5]. Forecaster Elie Kirchner commented, "It truly underscores the exceptional nature of this heatwave, which is very long and quite intense" [1].

Temperatures in Switzerland normally rise in late July or early August, making this June heatwave unusually early and severe [1, 2, 3]. The Swiss Teachers’ Federation has demanded binding national heat protection standards for schools, including suspending classes when indoor temperatures hit 30°C, to protect children during the ongoing hot spell [5].

The heatwave is also affecting other parts of Western Europe. Italy’s northern city of Bolzano recorded its hottest June night on June 26 since meteorological measurements began in 1956, with a minimum temperature of 25.4°C [6]. Provincial meteorologist Dieter Peterlin said, "The night just passed was the warmest June night since meteorological measurements began in 1956" [6]. Several countries including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the UK have reported record temperatures and heightened heat-related risks [4].

The extreme heatwave conditions in Switzerland are forecast to ease by June 29, according to MeteoSwiss [5].