Western Europe experienced its hottest June and July on record, with an average temperature of 21.62 degrees Celsius (70.92 Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous high set in 2022. This information was released on Monday by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
The region has been affected by four heatwaves since May, intensifying extreme heat and exacerbating drought conditions. These persistent heatwaves have contributed to severe wildfires, the setting of new national temperature records, and thousands of projected heat-related deaths.
Heat and Drought Impact Across Western Europe
Much of Western Europe, including Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the United Kingdom, experienced drier-than-average conditions in July. Ireland and parts of Iceland also faced unusually dry weather. Soil moisture levels were significantly lower than during the last severe drought in July 2022.
According to Samantha Burgess, the strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, persistent high-pressure systems trapped heat over Western Europe, further intensifying the widespread drought. As soils dry, their natural cooling ability diminishes, causing temperatures to rise even more. This cycle highlights how climate change is driving increasing extremes in heat and drought that reinforce each other.
Environmental and Economic Effects
Low river flows have been observed, with major waterways such as the Seine, Rhine, and Danube being severely affected. These reduced water levels have disrupted transportation, irrigation, and energy production in multiple countries.
The combination of hot, dry weather has heightened wildfire risks. France and Spain have dealt with particularly severe fires this summer, while other parts of Europe, as well as the northwestern United States and Canada, also faced significant wildfires.
Global Ocean Temperatures and Climate Outlook
Copernicus also reported record global sea surface temperatures for July, with an average of 20.96 degrees Celsius (69.73 Fahrenheit) outside the polar regions. This surpassed the previous July record of 20.89 degrees Celsius set in 2023. Marine heatwaves along parts of the Atlantic coast and in the western Mediterranean contributed to this record.
The developing El Niño phenomenon in the equatorial Pacific, described as unusually strong, is partly responsible for the rising ocean temperatures. El Niño is a natural climate cycle that can temporarily increase global temperatures and affect weather patterns worldwide.
Possibility of New Global Temperature Records
Globally, July tied as the joint second-warmest July on record along with July 2024, with an average surface temperature of 16.90 degrees Celsius (62.42 Fahrenheit). This is approximately 1.47 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average for July. July 2023 remains the warmest July recorded.
So far, 2026 ranks as the third-hottest year globally, following 2024 and 2025. The strengthening El Niño could push temperatures higher later this year, raising the possibility that a new global average temperature record will be set by late 2026 or early 2027.
Scientists emphasize that the primary driver of this warming trend is greenhouse gas emissions. Oceans have absorbed most of the excess heat caused by these emissions, influencing weather events and damaging marine ecosystems such as coral reefs.
