Overview
- Copernicus data show global sea-surface temperatures in June reached record highs, peaking around 20.9–21°C and marking unusual ocean warmth for the month.
- A late-June heatwave swept Western and Central Europe, exposing millions to 35°C or higher and producing one of Spain’s hottest Junes on record according to Aemet.
- Spain’s MoMo monitoring system issued preliminary estimates that nearly 900 excess deaths in June were linked to the extreme heat, with over 600 occurring during the most intense week.
- Regional impacts included very high ground and air temperatures in Ukraine, where soil surface readings reached 55–63°C and forecasts on July 2 called for daytime highs up to 35–37°C in central and southern areas.
- Scientists say the events are consistent with a strengthening El Niño working on top of long-term anthropogenic warming, which raises risks to marine ecosystems, agriculture, and health systems even though the future intensity and persistence remain uncertain.