Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July on record, with the combined average temperature reaching 21.62C, surpassing the 2022 record. The EU's climate monitor noted significantly lower soil moisture than during the last severe drought in 2022, highlighting the intensifying effects of climate change.
The record-breaking heat and drought in Western Europe highlight the accelerating impacts of climate change, posing significant risks to agriculture, energy production, infrastructure, and public health, while also increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires.
Western Europe has experienced its hottest June and July on record, with the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service reporting a combined average temperature of 21.62C for the two months, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. This historic summer of heat, drought, and wildfires is being fueled by climate change, which is intensifying extreme weather events.
Soil moisture levels across the region are significantly lower than during the severe drought of July 2022, indicating a worsening dry spell. Scientists attribute this to climate change, noting that heat and drought are increasingly reinforcing each other. The prolonged heat has led to numerous wildfires, with France and Spain battling their worst infernos in recent memory. Other European nations, including the UK, Ireland, and parts of Iceland, have also seen very dry conditions.
Unusually low river flows have affected major waterways such as the Seine, Rhine, and Danube, impacting transportation, irrigation, and energy production. The frequency of extreme fire-prone weather in Europe is increasing due to climate change, according to experts.
Globally, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the hottest years on record, potentially surpassing 2024 and 2025. This is attributed to the combined effects of human-caused global warming and a strong El Niño event. Last month was the second-warmest July globally on record, with temperatures 1.47°C above the pre-industrial benchmark. The last 11 years have been the warmest on record, a trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions.