{
  "id": 11432230,
  "title": "Half of Europe witnessed record heat stress this summer — EU",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/half-of-europe-witnessed-record-heat-stress-this-summer-eu",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-02T11:53:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW English (Top Stories)",
    "slug": "dw-english-top-stories",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/half-of-europe-witnessed-record-heat-stress-this-summer-eu/a-79514799?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-xml-mrss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A staggering 52% of Europe experienced very strong heat stress by the end of this summer, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Service. This extreme heat stress is defined by temperatures that feel hotter than 38 degrees Celsius. Around 80% of the continent faced strong heat stress, where temperatures feel over 32 degrees Celsius. This summer ranked as the third-warmest on record for Europe as a whole and the hottest in Western Europe. Samantha Burgess, deputy director of C3S, noted that the heat was not only intense but also widespread. European rivers set their lowest average flows since records began in 1992. Additionally, 56% of European ocean areas were warmer than average, with 22% hitting record-high summer sea surface temperatures. Drought affected nearly half of Europe by summer's end, making it a defining characteristic of the year. Tens of thousands of deaths occurred due to heat waves, impacting economic activities and agricultural harvests. Cities like Paris implemented temporary alcohol sales restrictions as temperatures regularly surpassed 40 degrees Celsius. Wildfires broke out in southern France and Andalusia, among other spots, with Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia experiencing its largest ever in August.",
  "summary": "The EU's climate monitor said this summer was third-warmest for the continent on record. European rivers also registered their lowest average flows since records began in 1992.",
  "key_points": [
    "52% of Europe experienced very strong heat stress by summer's end",
    "Summer ranked as third-warmest on record for Europe",
    "Drought affected nearly half of Europe by summer's end"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Half of Europe witnessed record heat stress this summer — EU",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/half-of-europe-witnessed-record-heat-stress-this-summer-eu-11432352",
        "published": "2026-10-02T11:53:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}