Western Europe Records Hottest June as Heatwaves Intensify

Western Europe recorded its hottest June on record last month as intense heatwaves continued to hit the region, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.

The region’s average temperature reached 20.74°C in June, which was more than 3°C above the 1991–2020 average. The new record surpassed the previous June high set in 2025.

Copernicus said June 2026 was also the second-warmest June globally, while Europe as a whole recorded its second-warmest June. The world’s oceans also saw record-high June sea surface temperatures.

The heatwave was especially severe in the second half of June, with a “heat dome” pushing temperatures to extreme levels in several European countries. More than 410 million people in Europe faced temperatures above 35°C during the June 15–30 heatwave, according to the report cited by AFP.

The extreme heat also raised health concerns, with heat-related deaths reported in countries including France, Spain, and Belgium. Dry conditions increased drought risks in parts of eastern Europe and contributed to wildfire activity in the Iberian Peninsula and southern France.

Climate experts warned that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer, and more intense as global temperatures rise. Copernicus said the latest data show how climate change is no longer a distant concern but an increasingly visible part of daily life.