{
  "id": 430085,
  "title": "Western Europe experienced hottest June-July on record",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-experienced-hottest-june-july-on-record",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-10T02:38:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/europe/2026/0810/1587198-heat-europe-climate/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Western Europe endured its hottest June-July on record in 2023, according to the EU's climate change monitoring service, Copernicus. The combined average temperature for the two months was 21.62C, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. This unprecedented heatwave was fueled by prolonged drought and bone-dry conditions, making it an extreme example of climate change's intensifying impact. Soil moisture levels were significantly lower compared to the last severe drought in July 2022, indicating the worsening situation. The heat and drought conditions were widespread across western and central European nations, affecting river flows and triggering wildfires. France and Spain experienced their most devastating infernos in recent history, while other countries, including the UK and parts of Iceland, also faced significant challenges due to the scorching temperatures. The phenomenon was further exacerbated by rising ocean temperatures, with July marking the second consecutive month of record-high sea surface temperatures across the globe. Scientists attribute the surge in extreme fire-prone weather to climate change, as the frequency of such events is expected to increase. The relentless rise in global temperatures, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, underscores the urgent need to address climate change before it leads to more catastrophic consequences.",
  "summary": "Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July on record as climate change fuels an historic summer of heat, drought and wildfires across the region, the EU's global warming monitor said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 18,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CityNews",
        "title": "Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-sets-new-temperature-record-as-heat-waves-pummel-the-434081",
        "published": "2026-08-10T02:11:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-sets-new-temperature-record-as-heat-waves-pummel-the-432506",
        "published": "2026-08-10T02:11:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-sets-new-temperature-record-as-heat-waves-pummel-the",
        "published": "2026-08-10T02:12:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-sets-new-temperature-record-as-heat-waves-pummel-the-429893",
        "published": "2026-08-10T02:23:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Western Europe logs hottest June-July on record, EU monitor says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-logs-hottest-june-july-on-record-eu-monitor-says",
        "published": "2026-08-10T02:39:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Western Europe experienced hottest June-July on record: EU monitor",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-experienced-hottest-june-july-on-record-eu-monitor",
        "published": "2026-08-10T02:45:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-sets-new-temperature-record-as-heat-waves-pummel-the-434070",
        "published": "2026-08-10T02:59:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Western Europe experienced hottest June-July on record: EU monitor",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-experienced-hottest-june-july-on-record-eu-monitor-436637",
        "published": "2026-08-10T03:20:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Western Europe records hottest June and July on record",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-records-hottest-june-and-july-on-record",
        "published": "2026-08-10T03:49:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves continue to pummel region",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-sets-new-temperature-record-as-heat-waves-continue-to",
        "published": "2026-08-10T04:10:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tempo.co English",
        "title": "Western Europe Records Hottest June and July on Record",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-records-hottest-june-and-july-on-record-439476",
        "published": "2026-08-10T04:17:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-sets-new-temperature-record-as-heat-waves-pummel-the-440078",
        "published": "2026-08-10T04:30:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Phys.org",
        "title": "Western Europe experienced hottest June-July on record: EU monitor",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-experienced-hottest-june-july-on-record-eu-monitor-445065",
        "published": "2026-08-10T06:41:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-sets-new-temperature-record-as-heat-waves-pummel-the-450807",
        "published": "2026-08-10T06:49:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Local Germany",
        "title": "Western Europe experienced hottest June-July on record",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-experienced-hottest-june-july-on-record-453401",
        "published": "2026-08-10T08:35:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Local Spain",
        "title": "Western Europe experienced hottest June-July on record",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-experienced-hottest-june-july-on-record-453478",
        "published": "2026-08-10T08:35:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Local France",
        "title": "Western Europe experienced hottest June-July on record",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/western-europe-experienced-hottest-june-july-on-record-453364",
        "published": "2026-08-10T08:35:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}