Summer of 2026 Broke Records in Europe, and Caused Deaths

In 2026, Europe experienced its warmest summer on record, surpassing the previous record set in 2003, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Germany's weather service, DWD, reported an unprecedented number of hot days, with an average of 22 days reaching at least 30 degrees Celsius and five days with temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius or more.

By the end of August, at least 16,300 people had died due to heat-related causes, although many deaths were a result of underlying health issues exacerbated by the heat. Heat-related deaths in Germany occur when the average weekly temperature exceeds 20 degrees Celsius. The heat wave's severity was influenced by factors such as humidity, solar radiation, wind, and the perceived temperature.

Vulnerable populations, including those with poor insulation in their homes or working outdoors, were among the most at risk. Researchers believe that some of the deceased may have lived longer despite their age and medical conditions. Meteorologists suggest that the deaths were not solely due to the "harvesting effect," which posits that heat waves cause vulnerable individuals to die prematurely, as the mortality deficit in the following weeks was absent.