WWA Says Climate Change Drove Western Europe's Worst Heatwave as 45% of Cities Hit Record Heat Stress
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 26
WWA Says Climate Change Drove Western Europe's Worst Heatwave as 45% of Cities Hit Record Heat Stress
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 26
Summary
36.4C in Somerset set the UK's hottest June temperature on Thursday as WWA scientists said the western Europe heatwave is the most severe and widespread ever recorded for the region.
WWA said the event would not have been possible in June without fossil-fuel-driven warming, estimating a similar heatwave would have been 2C cooler in 2003 and 3.5C cooler in 1976.
45% of European cities above 50,000 people are enduring their worst wet-bulb heat stress on record, while sweltering nights are about 100 times more likely today than in 2003.
641 life-threatening calls hit a one-day record for the London ambulance service on Wednesday, and schools, hospitals, rail and air travel across Europe have already been disrupted.
More than 60,000 people died in Europe's 2022 summer heat, and WWA warned that without faster climate action this summer's extremes could look relatively cool in future.
As Europe warms twice as fast as the globe, are its world-leading climate policies actually working?
With 'feels-like' temperatures soaring, how can our cities be redesigned to survive a future of permanent extreme heat?
With climate pledges failing to stop record heat, could a new global treaty finally force a fossil fuel phase-out?
Unprecedented June 2026 Heatwave in Europe: Breaking Records, Exposing Vulnerabilities, and Demanding Action
Overview
In June 2026, Europe is facing an unprecedented heatwave, marked by record-breaking temperatures and widespread disruption. The World Health Organization has issued urgent warnings, highlighting that the continent’s temperatures are rising at about twice the global average, which increases the risk and severity of future heat events. Health risks are mounting, especially for vulnerable groups, as officials warn that the extreme conditions are expected to persist. This crisis has led to school closures, disrupted daily life, and forced authorities to issue widespread alerts, underscoring the urgent need for stronger climate action and adaptation strategies across Europe.