Europe experiences record-breaking heat during summer of 2026

The summer of 2026 has set exceptional climate records across Europe, characterized by intense heatwaves, drought, and low river levels. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), Western Europe experienced its warmest summer in comparable records, with average temperatures between June and August reaching 21.69 ºC—2.54 ºC above the 1991-2020 average.

Spain recorded its warmest summer in at least 150 years, enduring 61 days of heatwaves between June and September. Across the continent, 2026 ranks as the third warmest summer in the Copernicus series, following 2024 and 2022. Significant temperature anomalies of four to five degrees above the average were noted in France, northern and eastern Spain, and other parts of Western and Central Europe. Approximately 52% of Europe experienced very strong thermal stress during this period.