Western Europe hottest June-July on record
Analysis based on 11 articles · First reported Aug 10, 2026 · Last updated Aug 10, 2026
The extreme heat and drought are likely to disrupt agricultural production, energy generation (especially hydro and nuclear cooling), and river transport in affected European countries, potentially raising commodity prices and energy costs. The record ocean temperatures and developing El Niño–Southern Oscillation could also affect global weather patterns, with broader implications for insurance, agriculture, and energy sectors worldwide.
Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July on record, according to the European Union — Copernicus Climate Change Service. The combined average temperature for the two months was 21.62C, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. The heat was accompanied by severe drought, with soil moisture significantly lower than in July 2022, and unusually low river flows in the Seine, Rhine, and Danube, disrupting transport, irrigation, and energy production. France and Spain battled their worst wildfires in living memory. Globally, July was the joint second-warmest on record, and ocean surface temperatures hit a record high for the second consecutive month, driven by marine heatwaves and a developing El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Copernicus director Carlo Buontempo described the El Niño–Southern Oscillation as potentially unprecedented in amplitude, and scientists expect a new global temperature record later in 2026 or early 2027. The event underscores the intensifying effects of climate change, with Europe warming faster than any other continent.
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