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

The heat waves roiling Western Europe this summer toppled an average temperature record for the June-July period set in 2022, according to the European climate agency Copernicus. The extreme heat began in May and has contributed to major wildfires, prolonged drought and new national temperature records across the region, as well as thousands of projected heat-related deaths. Globally, so far this…

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

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.

Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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