On June 24th, intense heat was felt across much of Europe.
Sylvie Hasson/AFP via Getty Images
This week’s heatwave has been recorded as the hottest and wettest in Europe, potentially leading to thousands of fatalities.
Despite the formation of a “Super El Niño” in the Pacific Ocean, a recent study from the World Weather Attribution Network indicates that this phenomenon has not affected the current heatwave; rather, it is global warming that is to blame.
The research evaluated the average daily maximum temperatures expected from June 26-28 in Western and Central Europe under historical climate conditions from 1976 and 2003.
While low-pressure heat dome weather patterns that trap heat from southern regions are not unusual, the current temperatures are unprecedented. Compared to fifty years ago, a typical June heatwave would be around 3.5°C cooler, with temperature extremes occurring less than once every 10,000 years.
During the day, temperatures have soared, with nighttime temperatures remaining above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) in some parts of Spain, and daytime highs reaching up to 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) in certain French towns.
“Without climate change, this event would not have been feasible in June,” stated Theodore Keeping, a professor at Imperial College London, during a media briefing on June 25th. “Absent climate change, three consecutive days of elevated nighttime temperatures throughout the year would not have occurred.”
Humidity levels have also reached alarming highs, surpassing 50% in many UK cities. Dewpoint temperatures are now in the low 20s, starkly contrasting with the single-digit dewpoints seen during the record-breaking July 2022 heatwave.
Wet bulb temperatures, which assess air temperature along with humidity, heat radiation, and airflow, are breaking records or are expected to do so in nearly half of Europe’s cities, according to research.
This increase in humidity elevates health risks by hindering evaporation and reducing sweating efficiency. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, individuals with chronic conditions, immigrants, and the homeless, face heightened risks.
“What we clearly observe is the unequal impacts of this heatwave, which highlight the disparities exacerbated by climate change,” said Friederike Otto, also from Imperial College London. “It’s the most vulnerable individuals who are most likely to suffer severe consequences.”
Although it’s premature to assess excess mortality, past research revealed that a minor heatwave in June and July 2025 resulted in 2,300 deaths across London and eleven other European cities.
“The health repercussions of this heatwave are likely to be substantial across large portions of northern and central Europe,” added Keeping.
Without rapid reductions in fossil fuel emissions, researchers warn that heatwaves will only become more frequent and extreme. Europe, currently the fastest-warming continent, has an aging urban populace residing in cities unprepared for such extreme heat events. In the UK, only 5% of homes are equipped with air conditioning.
To combat this, Europe should invest in not only air conditioning but also passive cooling solutions like enhanced insulation and ventilation in buildings, green roofs, and tree-lined streets. Carolina Pereira Marguidan of the Red Cross Climate Center emphasized that heat protection measures must extend to often-overlooked groups like individuals with mental health conditions and pregnant women.
“While Europe has established heat response plans, research indicates that they may not encompass all potentially vulnerable demographics,” she elaborated.
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Source: www.newscientist.com
