European heat maps mislead on urban heat island effect

During a recent June heatwave, European weather maps displayed intense red shading, prompting criticism that they exaggerated climate change impacts. In Austria, the ZAMG explained that newer maps have higher resolution—about 84,000 pixels for the country—making colors appear more vivid, not indicating hotter air.

Satellite observations over Brussels recorded surface temperatures of up to 47.4 °C on June 24, 2026, a figure derived from land‑surface measurements of asphalt and concrete. Nearby Sonian Forest recorded around 24.5 °C, illustrating the urban heat island effect rather than a uniform atmospheric temperature rise. Experts note that such red maps show ground heat, not the standard air temperature measured at two meters height, and that urban planning, not CO₂ emissions, drives these localized spikes.