Overview
- The heatwave that struck in late June set numerous national and local temperature records across western and central Europe and produced the region’s warmest June on record, according to Copernicus and WMO reports.
- Sea surface temperatures across the extra‑polar oceans reached a June record of 20.86°C, a key driver cited by climate agencies for June 2026 being the second‑warmest globally.
- Germany’s Robert Koch Institute has reported about 5,120 heat‑related deaths so far this year with most fatalities occurring during the late‑June event and other countries reporting several thousand excess deaths.
- Sustained high daytime and overnight temperatures have strained hospitals, ambulance services, transport and food supply chains and increased drought and wildfire risks in parts of Europe.
- Scientists and UN agencies say long‑term human‑caused warming made the June extremes more likely and that a strengthening El Niño and record ocean heat raise the chance of further intense heat, prompting updated heat‑health guidance and calls for faster adaptation.