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Western Europe Sets New Heat Record as Wildfires and Drought Spread

Western Europe has recorded its hottest June-July period on record, surpassing the previous mark set in 2022, according to the EU's Copernicus climate service. The heat wave, which began in May, has fueled wildfires, deepened drought and is linked to thousands of projected heat-related deaths.

Cracked, sun-baked earth stretching across a drought-affected landscape
Cracked, sun-baked earth stretching across a drought-affected landscapePhoto: James Frid / Pexels
France 24 Europe50 min ago
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Western Europe has set a new average temperature record for the June-July period, surpassing the mark set in 2022, according to the European Union's climate monitor Copernicus. The extreme heat began as early as May and has persisted through the summer, pushing thermometers well above seasonal norms across the region.

The prolonged heat has contributed to major wildfires, worsened drought conditions and produced new national temperature records in several countries, Copernicus said. Health authorities have warned of thousands of projected heat-related deaths, with vulnerable populations, including older people and those with pre-existing health conditions, facing the greatest risk.

Globally, 2026 is on pace to be the third-hottest year on record, behind only 2024 and 2025, according to climate statistics. Scientists have repeatedly linked the intensity and frequency of such heat waves to human-caused climate change, and Copernicus said monitoring will continue as the summer progresses.

EnergyEuropeFrance 24 Europe
Source: France 24 Europe
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This article is an AI-curated summary of the original story published by France 24 Europe. The illustration is a stock photo by James Frid from Pexels and is not from the original story.

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