Europe Marks 2024 as Its Hottest Year Ever
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Synopsis
In 2024, Europe recorded its hottest year ever, facing deadly floods and extreme heat, according to a report by WMO and C3S. The continent, now the fastest-warming region, saw severe climate impacts, including significant flooding and heat-related stress, while renewable energy usage reached a record high.
Key Takeaways
- Europe's hottest year recorded in 2024.
- Extreme weather led to significant flooding and heat stress.
- 335 fatalities due to storms and floods.
- Record glacier losses reported in Scandinavia and Svalbard.
- Renewable energy generation hit a record high of 45%.
London, April 17 (NationPress) Europe recorded its hottest year ever in 2024, characterized by lethal floods, extended heatwaves, and extraordinary climate extremes, as detailed in a recent report from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
The 'European State of the Climate 2024' report underscores that Europe continues to be the fastest-warming continent, facing severe consequences from extreme weather and climate change.
Extreme weather incidents inflicted a heavy toll. Last year marked the most extensive flooding in Europe since 2013, with nearly one-third of the river network surpassing the “high” flood threshold and 12 percent exceeding the “severe” flood threshold.
At least 335 lives were lost, and 413,000 individuals were impacted by storms and floods.
Heat-related stress also escalated, as Europe logged its second-highest count of days with “strong,” “very strong,” and “extreme” heat stress, with almost 60 percent of the continent experiencing above-average days of “strong heat stress.”
Southeastern Europe suffered through its longest heatwave on record in July, lasting 13 consecutive days and impacting 55 percent of the area. Record numbers of days with at least “strong heat stress” (66 days) and tropical nights (23 nights) were reported in southeastern Europe during the summer.
Throughout the year, the sea surface temperatures in the European region and the Mediterranean Sea reached unprecedented levels, at 0.7 degrees Celsius and 1.2 degrees Celsius above average, respectively.
This year’s climate extremes resulted in record glacier losses across all European regions, with glaciers in Scandinavia and Svalbard—the archipelago situated between Norway and the North Pole—experiencing their highest mass loss rates on record, averaging a thickness loss of 1.8 meters in Scandinavia and 2.7 meters in Svalbard.
In September, wildfires in Portugal scorched approximately 1,100 square kilometers in just one week, accounting for about a quarter of Europe’s total annual burned area. An estimated 42,000 individuals were affected by wildfires across Europe.
“These extreme events resulted in an estimated 18 billion euros ($20.4 billion) in damages, with 85 percent attributable to flooding,” said Samantha Burgess, deputy director of C3S, during a press briefing to discuss the report's main findings.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the urgent need for climate action, stating: “Every additional fraction of a degree of temperature rise matters because it elevates the risks to our lives, economies, and the planet. Adaptation is essential.”
Despite these challenges, the report reveals a positive development: the share of electricity generated from renewables in Europe reached a record high of 45 percent in 2024, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The 'European State of the Climate' report is published annually and offers a thorough evaluation of climate trends and impacts across the continent.
This year marks the eighth edition of the series and the second jointly published with Copernicus, the European Union's Earth observation program.
