Western Europe records unprecedented temperatures during June and July

Monday 10 - 12:44

By: Azzat Manal

Western Europe records unprecedented temperatures during June and July

Western Europe experienced exceptionally high temperatures during June and July, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service of the European Union. The region recorded an average temperature of 21.62°C over the period, making it the warmest June-July period in the available record.

The figure was 2.79°C above the average recorded for June between 1991 and 2020, highlighting the exceptional intensity of the heat affecting large parts of Western Europe this summer.

Copernicus reported a clear temperature contrast across the continent, with Western Europe experiencing particularly intense heat while conditions were considerably cooler across Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

At the European level, July ranked as the 11th warmest July ever recorded, with an average temperature of approximately 20.49°C. Globally, July was the second-warmest on record, alongside July 2024, with an average temperature of around 16.9°C. The record remains July 2023, when the global average reached approximately 16.95°C.

The latest global figure was about 1.47°C above the estimated pre-industrial average for July, underlining the broader warming trend observed across the planet.

Copernicus also noted that Western Europe has experienced unusually persistent heat since late spring. Four significant heatwave events have been recorded since May, according to the service, whose main climate records extend back to 1950, with some datasets reaching further into the past.

High temperatures have been accompanied by unusually dry conditions across many European regions. Parts of the Iberian Peninsula, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary and the United Kingdom were particularly affected by below-average rainfall and soil moisture.

The combination of heat and drought has intensified the impact of the extreme weather. When soil becomes excessively dry, its ability to provide natural cooling decreases, allowing temperatures near the surface to rise more easily. Climate experts describe this interaction as a feedback mechanism in which heat accelerates drying, while dry soil contributes to even higher temperatures.

The consequences have also been visible in Europe's rivers. Water levels in several major waterways have fallen significantly below their long-term averages, with the Seine, Rhine and Danube among the rivers affected by the prolonged dry conditions.

The situation has raised concerns for agriculture, water resources, ecosystems and transport, particularly in regions already facing prolonged periods of heat and limited rainfall.

The warming trend has also extended to the world's oceans. Copernicus reported that the global average sea-surface temperature in July reached 20.96°C, the highest value recorded for that month since observations began. The previous July record, set in 2023, was approximately 20.89°C.

Outside polar regions, unusually warm waters were recorded in several areas. Parts of the Atlantic coast and the western Mediterranean experienced exceptionally high sea-surface temperatures, accompanied by intense marine heatwaves.

Copernicus also pointed to unusually warm conditions in the tropical Pacific associated with the El Niño climate pattern, which could strengthen in the months ahead. Changes in ocean temperatures can have wider consequences because oceans play a major role in regulating the global climate system.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service continuously monitors these developments using computer-based analyses that combine billions of observations collected from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations around the world.

The latest findings provide another indication of the growing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events. While individual weather events can have multiple causes, the long-term warming of the climate increases the likelihood and severity of many heat extremes.