Europe’s heatwaves scorch 80 million with 40°C heat

In mid-June to mid-August of Europe's scorching summer, temperatures soared above 40°C in regions home to 80 million individuals, according to official data analyzed by AFP. The heatwaves, exacerbated by climate change, led to devastating droughts, wildfires, and crop yield reductions across several European nations, resulting in over 25,000 excess deaths.

Western Europe witnessed its hottest start to summer ever recorded in 2026, with June–July period hitting record levels, as per the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service.

From mid-June onwards, France encountered temperatures surpassing 40°C for 30 million people, Spain affected 23 million, and Germany and Italy impacted 8 million each. Such extreme temperatures are highly uncommon in many of the affected areas, with numerous buildings - including hospitals, schools, and care homes - lacking cooling measures like air-conditioning. Calculations by AFP were based on daily maximum temperatures from the European Drought Observatory and EU Joint Research Centre population data.

The thermometer climbed above 35°C in 80% of Europe's population, covering an area of 490 million people. While mountainous regions have largely escaped the worst of the heat, the exceptional temperatures have resulted in a record number of rockfalls in the Alps, as noted by French scientist Ludovic Ravanel of the national scientific research centre CNRS. The melting of "invisible" ice in rock cracks, aided by high temperatures, has led to rocks detaching and falling.

German official data, released on Thursday, revealed a record 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer, complementing 4,500 deaths in Spain and 7,300 in France. These figures are not definitive and could potentially increase.