What Happened
Western Europe experienced the hottest June on record, according to data released by the Copernicus climate monitoring service of the European Union. The region's average atmospheric temperature reached 20.74°C, 3.06°C above the average for the month between 1991 and 2020.
Across Europe as a whole, June 2026 was the second-hottest on record, with a surface temperature average of 19.14°C, 1.78°C above the average for the month in the period 1991-2020, and behind only June 2019 (19.23°C).
Why It Matters
The intense heat experienced in June was intensified by a severe heatwave that swept across much of Western Europe in the second half of the month. According to a study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA), such an intense phenomenon would be impossible without climate change.
Countries like Spain, France, Germany, and the UK recorded historic heat records, and once again, found their critical infrastructure, such as transportation and energy, unprepared for the increasingly high temperatures of the European summer.
The Mechanism Behind the Warming
The relatively large temperature anomaly in June 2026 is consistent with the strong warming trend observed in the month since the 1980s. Temperature anomalies have become more frequent since 2019: eight of the nine hottest Junes on record in Europe have occurred in the last eight years.
Furthermore, the average sea surface temperature was the highest ever recorded for June, reaching 20.86°C. The data indicates that the high sea surface temperatures were driven in part by much warmer-than-average conditions in most of the tropical Pacific, which fuels El Niño.
Broader Context
Globally, June 2026 also ranked as the second-hottest June on record. The global atmospheric temperature average was 16.54°C – 0.56°C above the June average for the period 1991-2020 and 1.39°C above the estimated pre-industrial average for the month between 1850 and 1900.
These records reflect a climate system that continues to accumulate heat, resulting in increasingly intense heatwaves, a persistently warm ocean, and growing risks for people, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
What's Next
With the global warming trend showing signs of continuation, it is crucial that countries take measures to prepare for the impacts of climate change. This includes investing in resilient infrastructure, promoting climate adaptation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, the scientific community must continue to monitor and study climate change, providing accurate and up-to-date information to support decision-making.
Source / Reference
Original URL: https://climainfo.org.br/2026/07/09/europa-ocidental-teve-o-junho-mais-quente-da-historia-recente/
Source Name: ClimaInfo