The continent’s Earth observation programme has unveiled data that shows what we were all thinking.
June 2026 has broken all European temperature records previously set for the month. Sea surface temperatures also contributed to the extremes heat, which also surpassed past all-time-highs.
In addition to setting new watermarks for the temperature, Europe also saw a drama spike in heat-related illness, including deaths. The unusually high temperatures for the time of year followed a heatwave in May that also bucked standard climate trends, and data presented by Copernicus — Europe’s Earth observation organisation — has landed just as a third heatwave takes hold across the continent and its islands.
‘June 2026 underscored how profoundly the climate is changing,’ said Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).
‘Western Europe recorded its warmest June on record, and continued record warmth in the global ocean,’ she continued. ‘Together, these records reflect a climate system continuing to accumulate heat. The result is increasingly intense heatwaves, a persistently warm ocean, and growing risks for people, ecosystems and infrastructure across Europe and beyond.’
Europe is recognised as the world’s fastest-heating continent, with climate change driving soaring summer temperatures, widespread wildfires and drought. Many northerly regions which usually enjoy far more moderate warm weather. such as the UK, Netherlands, and Scandinavia, are being particularly hit due to lower infrastructure stress-limits and lack of air conditioned homes.
Looking at the global picture, the world recorded its second-hottest June o record in 2026, with average surface temperatures 0.56C above the 1991-2020 average. Compared with pre-industrial levels, the month saw thermometers sit around 1.39C above the 1850-1900 norm. Alarmingly, this comes as satellite imagery has identified the likelihood of the El Niño weather system forming in the Pacific — a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that pushes up temperatures on land and sea worldwide. Experts have already predicted this year could see the strongest effects from this since records began.
Image: Luis Graterol / Unsplash
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