The Copernicus Local weather Change Service says traditionally low rainfall has worsened the state of affairs in a number of international locations.
Printed On 10 Aug 2026
Western Europe has skilled its hottest June and July on report this summer season, in keeping with the European Union’s local weather change monitor.
The Copernicus Local weather Change Service (C3S) stated on Monday that the area’s common temperature over the two-month interval was 21.62 levels Celsius (70.9 levels Fahrenheit), 2.79C (5.01F) above common and better than the earlier report set in 2022.
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This mirrored “the distinctive persistence of warmth” to this point this summer season, C3S stated.
The local weather change monitor additionally stated ranges of soil moisture had been “considerably decrease” than in July 2022 when the final extreme drought gripped Western Europe.
“July 2026 was the third consecutive month of remarkable warmth in Western Europe, bringing the mixed temperature for June and July to a brand new report for the area,” stated Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for local weather on the European Centre for Medium-Vary Climate Forecasts.
“Persistent high-pressure programs trapped warmth over Western Europe. The acute temperatures additionally amplified widespread drought. As soils dry out, they lose their capacity to supply pure cooling, permitting warmth to construct extra readily. This can be a clear instance of how local weather change is intensifying warmth extremes with warmth and drought more and more reinforcing each other.”
A number of rivers skilled exceptionally low water ranges, together with the Seine, Rhine and Danube. The low flows affected water provides and irrigation and led Hungary and Slovenia to function their solely nuclear energy crops at decreased capability.
France and Spain additionally registered report ranges of drought, which fuelled devastating wildfires.
A megafire burned practically 42,000 hectares (103,785 acres) and compelled the evacuation of greater than 220,000 individuals in southwestern France’s Gironde division in late July.
On the similar time, Spain’s largest wildfire in current historical past scorched virtually 44,000 hectares (108,725 acres) in Avila province close to Madrid.
The report additionally warned that giant fires can ship smoke excessive into the ambiance, permitting it to journey 1000’s of kilometres and have an effect on air high quality in different international locations.
The C3S additionally stated the very best sea floor temperatures on report outdoors the polar areas had been recorded in July. The typical sea floor temperature was 20.96C (69.7F), barely greater than the earlier report of 20.89C (69.6F) in 2023.
