Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region

In August 2026, Western Europe experienced record-breaking heat waves, as reported by the European climate agency Copernicus. The June-July period saw an average temperature of 21.62°C (70.92 F), surpassing the previous record set in 2022 by a significant margin. This extreme heat contributed to widespread wildfires, prolonged droughts, and potentially thousands of heat-related deaths across the region.

Globally, 2026 is on track to become the third-hottest year on record, trailing behind 2024 and 2025, with a 2026 chance of becoming the hottest year, according to climate statistics. The El Niño phenomenon, a periodic warming of the Pacific, played a significant role in these unprecedented temperatures. Last month, the average sea surface temperature in the extra-polar oceans reached a record 20.96°C (69.73°F), marking the highest ever recorded for July.