June and July in Western Europe became the hottest in recorded history
The first two months of summer 2026 in Western Europe became the hottest for the entire observation period. Researchers recorded a record-high average air temperature of 21.6°C, which is approximately 2.8°C above the average, CNN reports .
The previous record was set in 2022. Moreover, July 2026 also became the hottest July in the entire history of observations of the surface temperature of the World Ocean outside the polar regions. The average water temperature was 20.96°C. This is higher than the previous July record of 2023, when the average temperature reached 20.89°C.
Particularly high water temperatures were observed in the Atlantic Ocean and the western part of the Mediterranean Sea. The weather conditions were partly influenced by the so-called "super El Niño" — a climatic phenomenon forming in the Pacific Ocean.
Simultaneously, in France, Spain, as well as in some regions of Germany and Great Britain, scientists recorded an extreme deficit of precipitation and soil moisture. In July 2026, the moisture content of the topsoil in Western Europe was significantly lower than in July 2022, when the region also experienced a severe drought.
Extreme heat and drought contributed to the occurrence of large-scale forest fires. According to European experts, more than 1.23 million acres, or about 498 thousand hectares, of territory were destroyed by fire. Spain, France, and Italy were most affected.
The fires also led to increased atmospheric emissions and worsened air quality in various regions of Europe. The larger the fire, the more smoke is produced and the higher it rises into the atmosphere. As a result, pollution can spread over significant distances and affect air quality not only directly near the fire site.
Scientists note that high temperatures and prolonged drought in June and July mutually reinforced each other. As the soil dries out, it loses its ability to provide natural surface cooling, so heat accumulates even faster. This forms a kind of vicious circle that intensifies extreme heat.
It was also previously reported that the lowest water level in the Rhine River in recorded history was observed. In some sections, the navigable depth decreased to just 25 centimeters.
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