Europe breaks records: Hottest summer measured in the west of the continent
June and July were the hottest months ever recorded in Western Europe. Global sea surface temperatures reached a record high, while heat waves exacerbated drought and fire risks across the continent.
June and July 2026 were the hottest months ever recorded in Western Europe, with an average temperature of 21.62 degrees Celsius. Simultaneously, global sea surface temperatures reached a record high in July, as extreme heat exacerbated drought conditions and fire risks.
Western Europe recorded its hottest June and July since measurements began, with the regional average temperature for the two months reaching 21.62 degrees Celsius—the highest figure ever documented for this period.
Since May, the western part of the continent has been hit by four extreme heat waves, two of which occurred in July. According to Euronews, these events were accompanied by drought, widespread fires, and broken temperature records across various nations. Central Europe also faced intense heat, with national records shattered in countries like Austria and Slovakia. These dry, hot conditions have significantly increased the risk of wildfires, particularly in the Mediterranean region.
The anomalous heat extended beyond land. Sea surface temperatures in non-polar regions reached 20.96 degrees Celsius in July, a global record. Data suggests that ocean warming is primarily driven by human-induced climate change, specifically the burning of fossil fuels. The El Niño phenomenon, developing in the tropical Pacific, also contributed to the rising temperatures.
Oceans absorb approximately 93% of the excess energy in the climate system, making their warming rate a key indicator of climate change intensity. Continued rising sea temperatures could impair the ocean's ability to absorb carbon and regulate the climate.
Globally, July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the second-hottest July on record. The average global air temperature was 16.9 degrees Celsius—0.67 degrees above the 1991–2020 July average.
Temperatures were 1.47 degrees higher than the estimated pre-industrial average (1850–1900). Throughout the Northern Hemisphere, heat waves and extensive fires were recorded, notably in Canada and Western Europe.
Deviations were also noted in the Arctic, where sea ice extent in July was the sixth lowest ever measured. Particularly low ice concentrations were recorded in the northern Barents Sea, near the Svalbard archipelago and Franz Josef Land.
Climate scientist Samantha Burgess described the summer as a "clear example" of how the climate crisis intensifies extreme phenomena that feed into one another. She noted that persistent high-pressure systems trapped heat over Western Europe, while extreme temperatures worsened widespread drought.
"As the ground dries out, it loses its ability to provide natural cooling, and thus the heat accumulates more easily," explained Burgess (according to AOL).
