Why Is Europe Facing Record-Breaking Heatwaves?

KABUL (Agencies): Western Europe is grappling with record-breaking heatwaves, with temperatures soaring to 46°C (114°F) in parts of Spain, Portugal, and France. This summer has brought Europe’s hottest June on record, and scientists say the continent is warming faster than any other region in the world.

Unprecedented Early Heatwaves

From mid-June to mid-July, Europe endured two major heatwaves, with a third currently sweeping through the region. Countries like Greece, France, and Italy have faced wildfires, school closures, emergency restrictions, and bans on outdoor work due to extreme heat.

In Spain, officials reported 1,180 heat-related deaths over two months—an alarming rise from previous years. A recent study by Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that between June 23 and July 2, 2,300 people died from heat-related causes across 12 European cities. Of these, 1,500 deaths were directly linked to climate change.

“Climate change has made it significantly hotter than it would have been, which in turn makes it a lot more dangerous,” said Dr. Ben Clarke, a climate researcher at Imperial College.

Where Have the Heatwaves Hit?

The first heatwave peaked between June 17 and 22, striking Western and Southern Europe. The second wave, from June 30 to July 2, pushed temperatures beyond 40°C (104°F), with some places nearing 46°C (118°F)—especially in Spain and Portugal.

What’s Driving These Extreme Temperatures?

Meteorologists say the main culprit is a “heat dome” — a high-pressure system that traps hot air beneath it and blocks cooler systems from moving in. This leads to prolonged, intense heat and minimal cloud formation, significantly reducing chances of rainfall.

June: The Hottest on Record in Western Europe

Western Europe recorded an average temperature of 20.49°C (68.88°F) in June, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, surpassing the previous June record set in 2003. On June 30 and July 1, the average daily temperature soared to 24.9°C (76.8°F) — among the highest ever recorded in the region during this time of year.

Europe is warming at a rate of 0.53°C per decade since the mid-1990s, driven by several factors:

• Changes in atmospheric circulation

• Reduced air pollution, allowing more solar radiation to reach the surface

• The region’s proximity to the Arctic, which is warming faster than anywhere else

Countries like the UK, France, Spain, and Portugal recorded their hottest days since 1979 during this heatwave period.

Heatwaves Proving Deadly in European Cities

A detailed report on heat-related deaths from June 23 to July 2 estimated:

• 317 deaths in Milan

• 286 in Barcelona

• 235 in Paris

• 171 in London

• 164 in Rome

• 108 in Madrid

• 96 in Athens

• Others in Budapest, Zagreb, Frankfurt, Lisbon, and Sassari

The researchers note the early onset of extreme heat caught many off guard, particularly older adults, who accounted for more than 80% of the deaths.

Global Context: The Planet is Heating Up

Globally, June 2025 was the third hottest June since records began in 1850, with an average surface air temperature of 16.46°C (61.62°F) — 0.47°C above the 1991–2020 average.

The world continues to track close to 2024, the hottest year on record, where the global average reached 15.1°C, exceeding pre-industrial levels by 1.5°C, the threshold scientists warn must not be crossed to avoid dangerous climate impacts.

A study published in Earth System Science Data found that human-induced warming accelerated from 2015 to 2024, with temperatures rising by 0.27°C per decade — the fastest rate observed in the modern era.

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