Record-Breaking Heat Wave Strikes Western Europe in June

Western Europe witnessed its hottest June on record this year, as a prolonged heat wave swept across France, Britain, Spain, and other countries. According to the European Union’s climate monitoring service, Copernicus, average June temperatures in the region were 3.05 degrees Celsius, or 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit, above the norm from recent decades. This eclipsed the previous record set last June.

For the planet, June 2026 ranked as the second warmest on record, marking a global rise in temperatures since the start of the industrial era. The earth last month was 1.39 degrees Celsius, or 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit, hotter than when large-scale burning of oil, gas, and coal began.

“Together, these records reflect a climate system continuing to accumulate heat,” said Samantha Burgess, a climate scientist with Copernicus.

The June heat wave came after an earlier spell in May and subsided briefly before temperatures soared again. Regions like England, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland saw significant record-breaking days. France recorded its hottest day not just for June but for any month, repeating this feat over three consecutive days.

Atmospheric patterns causing such prolonged heat are not new, but they now operate within an environment warmed by carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases from fossil fuel burning. This makes record-breaking temperatures during heat waves more likely.

Researchers indicate climate change has significantly increased the likelihood of such high temperatures. Comparing with the extreme heat wave of 2003 that resulted in over 70,000 excess deaths, current conditions show an increase in severe heat wave probabilities.

In France, health authorities reported 1,000 excess deaths during the hottest days in late June. Of these, 85% were people aged 65 or older, yet all age groups saw increases in excess mortality. Recent estimates suggest that heat-related deaths in France last month might have exceeded 2,700.

Raymond Zhong contributes reporting on climate and environmental issues.