Western Europe has experienced its hottest average temperature for June and July since records began, according to Europe’s Copernicus climate service. The average temperature across Western Europe during the two months reached 21.62°C. The region has also experienced heatwaves, drought and major wildfires. Scientists say climate change is making extreme heat more likely.
The unusually hot weather began in May and continued through the summer. The heat has contributed to dry conditions and has been linked to thousands of projected heat-related deaths. Across the world, 2026 has so far been the third-hottest year on record, behind 2024 and 2025. Scientists say there is still a chance that 2026 could become the hottest year ever recorded.
Another important record was set in the oceans. The average sea surface temperature across oceans outside areas of seasonal sea ice reached 20.96°C in July. This beat the previous July record of 20.89°C, set in 2023. Scientists say developing El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean helped push temperatures higher.
Climate experts say human-caused global warming is also playing a major role. In Western Europe, long periods of high air pressure trapped heat over the region. Dry soil also made the problem worse because dry ground cannot cool the air as effectively. Scientists say heat and drought can therefore make each other worse, creating difficult conditions for people, animals and plants.
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