Western Europe records its hottest June as heatwaves surge: EU monitor
Summary
Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record due to a strong heatwave and a weather pattern called a "heat dome." The region's average temperature was over 3°C higher than usual for the period 1991-2020, with many countries setting new temperature records. This heatwave caused health problems, drought risks, and wildfires, and experts link it to human-caused climate change.Key Facts
- Western Europe's average temperature in June 2026 was 20.74°C, the highest ever recorded for that month.
- Temperatures were more than 3°C above the average from 1991 to 2020.
- The heatwave was driven by a "heat dome," a high-pressure system that traps heat like a lid on a pot.
- Over two-thirds of Europeans, about 410 million people, experienced temperatures above 35°C during the heatwave.
- The Mediterranean Sea also had record-high water temperatures, which reduced nighttime cooling and worsened heat impacts.
- The heatwave led to thousands of deaths, mainly in France, Spain, and Belgium.
- Human-caused climate change made this severe heatwave much more likely and intense than past natural events.
- Experts say many old European buildings were not designed for such hot weather, creating a need for better adaptation to climate change.
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