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2w ago

Western Europe Records Hottest June–July as Oceans Hit New July Highs

Copernicus warns a developing, possibly very large El Niño is amplifying human‑caused warming and could push 2026 toward new global temperature records.

Ukrainian firefighters work in a wildfire-hit area near Le Temple, Gironde, amongst worsening drought conditions following a heatwave and water shortages across much of France, August 7, 2026. REUTERS/Nicolas Economou
A man walks on dried grass in a park, amid drought conditions in London, in London, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A hiker walks through an area affected by a forest and vegetation fire that burned several hectares in the commune of Mizerieux, France, on August 7, 2026.

Overview

  • Copernicus confirmed on Monday that western Europe posted its hottest combined June–July on record with an average of 21.62°C after heat waves that began in May.
  • The agency also reported the highest-ever extra‑polar July sea surface temperature at about 20.96°C, driven by widespread marine heatwaves in the Atlantic and western Mediterranean.
  • Copernicus and climate scientists say a strengthening El Niño is likely the major short-term driver of the record sea temperatures and that its peak later this year could raise the odds that 2026 becomes the warmest year on record.
  • The prolonged heat and dry soils have left soil moisture much lower than in July 2022 and pushed river flows unusually low in the Seine, Rhine and Danube, disrupting inland transport, irrigation and energy production and worsening wildfire risk.
  • Europe’s rapid long‑term warming and the ocean heat build-up mean the region should expect more cascading impacts on health, farming and infrastructure this autumn and winter as El Niño evolves.