Copernicus reports record Western Europe heat

Copernicus reports record Western Europe heat

Copernicus said July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the second-warmest July ever recorded globally, with only July 2023 warmer. The global average surface air temperature reached 16.9C, while Europe as a whole averaged 20.5C for the month, making it the 11th warmest July on record for the continent.

Western Europe endured its hottest June-July period on record this summer, averaging 21.6C, or 2.79C above normal. Copernicus said the region experienced four heatwaves since May, calling that level of frequency exceptional. The article places the July figures in the context of an unusually intense run of heat across Europe.

Key Events

  • Copernicus reported that July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the second-warmest July globally, behind July 2023.
  • Western Europe recorded its hottest June-July period on record, averaging 21.6C, or 2.79C above average.
  • The region experienced four heatwaves from May onward, which Copernicus described as exceptional.
  • Europe as a whole averaged 20.5C in July, placing it as the 11th warmest July on record for the continent.
  • The global average surface air temperature for July was 16.9C, 0.67C above the 1991-2020 average and 1.47C above pre-industrial levels.