Western Europe recorded its hottest June-July period on record this year, surpassing the previous high set in 2022, according to the European climate agency Copernicus. The extreme heat, which began in May, has fueled widespread wildfires, prolonged drought conditions, and resulted in thousands of projected heat-related deaths across the region.
Record-Breaking Temperatures and Regional Impact
Data from Copernicus confirms that the average temperature for Western Europe during the June-July window reached 21.62°C (70.92°F). This heat has been compounded by persistent high-pressure systems that trapped warm air over the continent. Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, noted that the resulting dry soils lose their natural cooling capacity, which allows heat to build more rapidly. “This is a clear example of how climate change is intensifying heat extremes, with heat and drought increasingly reinforcing one another,” Burgess stated.
The impact has been physical and immediate. In Spain, authorities in the Huelva province evacuated approximately 470 residents as a wildfire spread across nearly 4,000 hectares. According to Antonio Sanz, the Andalucia region’s minister for emergencies, the fire has proven “complex,” with over 500 firefighters and 20 waterbombing planes struggling against volatile winds. Meanwhile, in Albania, police arrested a man suspected of accidentally sparking a large wildfire on Mount Kruje near Tirana, which forced local evacuations.
Global Climate Trends and the El Niño Factor
While Western Europe faced record-breaking regional heat, global patterns show a complex picture. Copernicus reported that the average global surface air temperature for July was 16.90°C (62.42°F), tying with July 2024 as the second-warmest July on record. However, sea surface temperatures reached a new high of 20.96°C (69.73°F) for extra-polar oceans, eclipsing the 2023 record of 20.89°C.
Scientists attribute much of this warming to the combined influence of human-caused climate change and a “supersized” El Niño—a periodic warming of the Pacific Ocean that alters global weather patterns. While 2026 currently ranks as the third-hottest year behind 2024 and 2025, researchers suggest that the ongoing influence of El Niño keeps the possibility open that 2026 could challenge or surpass the record for the hottest year by the end of the calendar year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was this July only the second-warmest globally despite record ocean temperatures?
While ocean surface temperatures hit an all-time high of 20.96°C, global air temperature is influenced by a wider range of variables, including land temperature fluctuations and atmospheric circulation, leading to a tie for the second-warmest July.
What role does El Niño play in current weather patterns?
El Niño is a periodic warming of the Pacific Ocean that influences global climate. When combined with human-caused global warming, it can lead to more intense heat extremes and temperature variations worldwide, according to reporting by Copernicus.
How does soil condition affect heat waves?
According to Samantha Burgess of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, dry soil cannot provide the natural cooling effect that moist soil does. This creates a feedback loop where the ground traps more heat, further raising local air temperatures.
Stay informed on how changing weather patterns are affecting your region. Subscribe to our climate newsletter for weekly updates, or explore our archive of environmental reporting to see how global trends have shifted over the last decade.
Worth a look