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Western Europe Records Hottest-Ever June as Heatwaves Intensify

Published July 9, 2026 at 8:13 AM UTC

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In June 2026, Western Europe experienced its hottest month on record, with average temperatures reaching 20.74°C, surpassing the 1991–2020 average by over 3°C. This unprecedented heatwave, driven by persistent high-pressure systems, affected countries including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported that the daily average temperature on June 30 and July 1 peaked at 24.9°C, marking the highest June temperature ever recorded in the region. The heatwaves led to severe droughts, increased wildfire risks, and strained infrastructure. Experts attribute the intensification of these heatwaves to climate change, noting that such extreme temperatures would have been virtually impossible 50 years ago. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of future extreme weather events.