Europe endures record heat, spurring wildfires and unprecedented tropical nights

Europe is experiencing increasingly extreme summers, with temperatures rising at nearly twice the global average since the 1980s. The prolonged heat and dry soils have intensified forest fires, especially in Mediterranean nations such as Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy, prompting stronger early‑warning systems, fire brigades and aerial water drops.

At the same time, night‑time temperatures have reached historic levels across the continent. London recorded five consecutive “tropical” nights in June, matching a national record, while Germany’s Kubschütz hit 29.4 °C, the highest night temperature ever documented there. Scientists note that “the heat wave of June is notable not only for daytime intensity but also for the extraordinary night‑time heat” (Robert Rohde, Berkeley Earth). Persistent nighttime heat strains health, disrupts sleep and raises mortality risk, as the body loses the chance to cool down. Economically, the thermal stress increases medical incidents and reduces workplace performance, adding further pressure to societies where air‑conditioning remains rare.