Western Europe experienced its hottest June and July on record, according to data released Monday by the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
The average temperature across the region for the two-month period reached 21.62 degrees Celsius (70.92 Fahrenheit), breaking the previous record set in 2022.
Copernicus said the figure reflected the "exceptional persistence of heat" in western Europe, where four heatwaveshave occurred since May.
The extreme temperatures have contributed to prolonged drought, major wildfires and new national temperature records across the region, as well as thousands of projected heat-related deaths.
Firefighters battle a wildfire in southwestern France amid hot and dry conditions across the region [FILE: July 28, 2026]Image: Emma Da Silva/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance
