Western Europe recorded its hottest June on record in 2026, with temperatures soaring well above historical averages as climate change continued to fuel more frequent and intense heatwaves across the continent, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
The latest climate report revealed that the average temperature in Western Europe reached 20.74 degrees Celsius during June, more than 3°C above the 1991–2020 average. The figure surpassed the previous regional record set in June 2025, highlighting the accelerating impact of global warming on Europe's climate.
The findings come as another powerful heatwave grips several European countries this week, following an exceptionally hot spring and a record-breaking June that pushed temperatures to dangerous levels across much of the continent.
Samantha Burgess, Strategic Climate Lead at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), which operates the Copernicus Climate Change Service, warned that rising global temperatures will continue to make extreme heat events more common.
"We will see more heatwaves in a warmer world. They will become more intense, last longer, and affect larger geographical areas," Burgess said.
Globally, June 2026 ranked as the second hottest June ever recorded, with average global temperatures measuring 1.39°C above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900). Scientists say the warming trend is being driven primarily by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, while the developing El Niño weather pattern is adding further heat to the atmosphere and oceans.
Europe, recognized as the world's fastest-warming continent, experienced widespread impacts from a persistent "heat dome" that trapped hot air over the region. The weather system triggered record-breaking temperatures in several countries, including France, Spain, and Belgium, where thousands of heat-related deaths were reported during the extreme weather event.
According to an AFP analysis, more than 410 million people across Europe experienced temperatures above 35°C between June 15 and June 30. Climate experts also warned that nearly 300 million people, including millions of children and elderly residents, were exposed to harmful ozone pollution as high temperatures worsened air quality.
The Mediterranean Sea also recorded unprecedented marine heat, reducing cooling sea breezes and intensifying nighttime temperatures. Meanwhile, prolonged dry conditions increased drought risks in eastern Europe and contributed to wildfires across Spain, Portugal, and southern France.
Climate scientists say events of this magnitude would have been virtually impossible without human-induced climate change. They are urging governments to accelerate climate adaptation strategies, modernize infrastructure, and reduce fossil fuel emissions to limit future warming.
Experts warn that without rapid progress toward net-zero emissions, Europe and other regions will continue to face increasingly severe heatwaves, posing growing risks to public health, ecosystems, agriculture, and economic stability.
