Western Europe records hottest summer on record, Copernicus report says
Surface air temperatures in western Europe were 2.5C above the recent decadal average from June through August, according to an update from the EU’s Copernicus climate monitoring service. More than half of Europe experienced “very strong” heat stress, while milder heat elsewhere contributed to the continent’s third-hottest summer on record.
Western Europe experienced its hottest summer on record, according to an update published Friday by the EU’s Copernicus climate monitoring service. Surface air temperatures across the region from June through August were 2.5C above the recent decadal average.
The report said scorching conditions persisted across western Europe during the summer. More than half of the continent was affected by “very strong” heat stress, with perceived temperatures exceeding 38C.
Heat was also recorded across the rest of Europe, although conditions there were described as milder. Even so, the report said the continent experienced its third-hottest summer on record and characterized the heat as deadly.
The supplied report does not provide a total number of deaths, details of harvest losses, or further information about the duration and locations of individual heatwaves.
THE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND
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What factors made western Europe warmer than the rest of the continent?
How did the reported temperatures affect agricultural production across Europe?
What measures were taken to reduce health risks during the heatwaves?
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GLOBAL CURIOSITY MAP · SEPTEMBER 2026