This month, Western Europe is experiencing record-breaking extreme heat. The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed last month as the hottest June on record. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) noted that average temperatures in the area have shattered previous highs. This surprising trend speaks to longer-term, more significant changes happening in the continent’s climate. Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at the EU monitor, noted the unprecedented impact of this month’s heat waves across Europe. In appreciation, she stressed that their influence has been “incredible.”
The severity of these heat waves was amplified by record sea surface temperatures in the western Mediterranean. In June, much of the Gulf, Caribbean and the Atlantic coast experienced near-record sea surface temperatures. Parts of the central U.S. saw departures greater than +5 degrees Celsius from normal too. On June 30th, a remarkable extreme occurred as global sea surface temperatures jumped up to 27 degrees Celsius, an all-time high.
Record Temperatures Across Western Europe
Daily mean temperatures in western Europe climbed to extremes not typically experienced, especially this time of year during the early summer critical period. In just a few days, nations such as Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy—and most of the entire Balkans—were recording record-high “feels-like” temperatures. In one location north of Lisbon, measurements recorded feels-like temperatures soaring as high as a staggering 48 degrees Celsius. This reading is nearly 7 degrees above the average. With this extreme heat comes unprecedented heat stress impacting the health of millions of people across these areas.
Many countries in the region reported new historical records for surface temperatures exceeding 40°C. Iberia sweltered under extreme heat and drought. On the hottest days in some areas, temperatures reached a staggering 46 degrees Celsius. The combined effect of these record-setting heat waves left a huge scar over the entire region. We held two parallel events, one from June 17-22 and one from June 30-July 2. These heat domes contained the warm air over the impacted areas. This bizarre phenomenon contributed to the extreme heat lasting longer than expected.
A Global Perspective on Rising Temperatures
On a global scale, June was the third warmest month on record. This deeply concerning trajectory reveals a shocking underbelly to climate change. The scientific consensus is clear—the planet is warming, and those rising greenhouse gas emissions are mostly caused by human activity. Alarmingly, Europe is warming at a rate several times faster than the global average, which raises concerns about future climate conditions and their potential impacts on ecosystems and human populations.
The new hottest June on record was set in 2024, with 2023 right behind it in second place. This ongoing pattern highlights an unsettling trajectory for climate conditions in Europe, underscoring the urgency for effective climate action to mitigate further warming.
The Impact of Climate Change on Weather Patterns
The stakes of these increasing temperatures are much higher than blistering hot pavement. This phenomenon has serious implications for public health and safety. Millions have experienced extreme heat stress, which can result in death and other acute health complications. Vulnerable populations are often at greater risk during these extreme weather events. This reality underscores the urgent call for more holistic approaches to address health impacts of climate change.
Climate change is drastically changing weather patterns all over the globe. It’s time for our policymakers and communities to change how we think, act, and prepare as extreme weather events are here to stay. This important collaborative work will remove barriers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Together, these initiatives will serve to directly advance sustainability and help to combat the realities of climate change.