May heatwaves, deaths, ruined harvests: study of Europe’s summer paints grim picture for the future
EU Copernicus report shows surface air temperatures from June to August were 2.5C above decadal average
TL;DR
- Western Europe experienced its worst heatwave on record this summer, with over half the continent facing heat stress above 38C.
- Surface air temperatures in western Europe were 2.5C above the recent decadal average from June to August.
- The summer was Europe's third hottest on record, primarily driven by fossil fuel pollution.
- At least 60% of western Europe experienced temperatures above 30C on 17 days, with 13 days of "very strong" heat stress.
- Recurring heatwaves caused tens of thousands of deaths, ruined harvests, and shut down power plants.
- European sea surface temperatures also broke records, and rivers experienced their lowest summer flows in over 30 years.
- Fire weather conditions in 2026 were the worst recorded, with 680,000 hectares burned by the end of September.
- Smoke from wildfires released 30% more fine particulate matter than the average over the last two decades.
- Scientists urge an end to fossil fuel burning and measures to build resilience against climate risks.