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Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves continue to pummel region

Last month saw the highest average temperature ever recorded and alarming soil humidity figures across Western Europe, Copernicus said.

Western Europe endured its hottest June and July on record, as confirmed by the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service on Monday. The region's average temperature for the two months soared to 21.62 degrees Celsius (70.92 Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous record set in 2022. This extreme heat caused multiple heatwaves, drought, wildfires, and potentially thousands of heat-related fatalities across Europe.

While July itself was only the 11th warmest on record, global temperatures showed a significant rise, making July 2026 the third-hottest year on record globally. The Copernicus Climate Change Service attributes this warming to persistent high-pressure systems that trapped heat and amplified drought conditions, contributing to a record-high sea surface temperature.

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