**June and July Hottest on Record in Western Europe, Climate Monitor Reports**
**Date: August 10, 2026**
Western Europe has recorded its hottest June and July in history, according to the latest findings from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The average temperature for the two-month period reached 21.62 degrees Celsius (70.9 degrees Fahrenheit), which is 2.79 degrees Celsius (5.01 degrees Fahrenheit) above the long-term average and surpasses the previous record set in 2022.
The C3S report highlights the "exceptional persistence of heat" experienced across the region this summer. Samantha Burgess, the strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, noted that July 2026 marked the third consecutive month of extreme heat in Western Europe, contributing to a new record combined temperature for June and July.
Persistent high-pressure systems have been identified as a key factor in trapping heat over the region. This prolonged heat has exacerbated widespread drought conditions, leading to significantly lower soil moisture levels compared to July 2022, when the region faced its last severe drought. As soils dry out, their capacity to provide natural cooling diminishes, allowing temperatures to rise further. This phenomenon illustrates how climate change is intensifying heat extremes, with heat and drought conditions increasingly reinforcing one another.
The extreme heat has had a profound impact on water bodies across the region. Major rivers, including the Seine, Rhine, and Danube, have experienced exceptionally low water levels, affecting water supplies and agricultural irrigation. In response to the drought, Hungary and Slovenia have been forced to operate their only nuclear power plants at reduced capacity.
The situation has also led to severe drought conditions in France and Spain, where record low moisture levels have fueled devastating wildfires. In late July, a megafire in southwestern France’s Gironde department burned nearly 42,000 hectares (103,785 acres) and prompted the evacuation of over 220,000 residents. Similarly, Spain’s largest wildfire in recent history scorched almost 44,000 hectares (108,725 acres) in Avila province, near Madrid.
The report from C3S warns that large wildfires can produce smoke that rises high into the atmosphere, potentially traveling thousands of kilometers and affecting air quality in distant regions. This underscores the far-reaching consequences of the extreme weather conditions currently affecting Western Europe.
In addition to the record temperatures on land, the C3S report noted that July also saw the highest sea surface temperatures recorded outside polar regions. The average sea surface temperature reached 20.96 degrees Celsius (69.7 degrees Fahrenheit), slightly surpassing the previous record of 20.89 degrees Celsius (69.6 degrees Fahrenheit) set in 2023.
As Western Europe grapples with these unprecedented weather patterns, the implications of climate change become increasingly apparent. The combination of extreme heat and drought not only threatens ecosystems and agriculture but also poses significant challenges for public health and safety.
Authorities and climate experts continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and adapt to the new realities of extreme weather. The ongoing heatwave serves as a stark reminder of the pressing challenges that lie ahead as the region navigates the complexities of a changing climate.