Western Europe breaks temperature record amid summer heat waves
Western Europe has set a new average temperature record for the June-July period, surpassing the previous record from 2022, according to European climate agency Copernicus.
Europe's climate monitoring service, Copernicus, has confirmed that this summer's heat waves have pushed Western Europe's average June-July temperature past the previous record set in 2022.
According to the agency, unusually high temperatures have persisted across the region since May. The prolonged heat has fueled major wildfires and extended drought conditions in several countries, while multiple nations have also recorded new national temperature highs.
Human toll
Climate experts project that the extreme heat will contribute to thousands of heat-related deaths this year.
Global context
Copernicus data shows that, globally, 2026 is on track to be the third-hottest year on record so far, trailing only 2024 and 2025.
