Is Western Europe Experiencing Its Hottest June Ever?
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Synopsis
Western Europe is grappling with unprecedented heat this June. With temperatures soaring due to two intense heatwaves, the region has recorded alarming statistics that will reshape our understanding of climate change. This growing phenomenon raises significant health risks and highlights the urgent need for climate action.
Key Takeaways
- Western Europe hit record high temperatures in June 2025.
- Two significant heatwaves contributed to extreme weather conditions.
- Tropical nights became widespread, increasing health risks.
- The marine heatwave set new records for sea surface temperatures.
- Climate change is likely to lead to more frequent and severe heatwaves.
Brussels, July 9 (NationPress) Western Europe has achieved a record for its hottest June to date, with average temperatures soaring to 20.49 degrees Celsius due to two intense heatwaves that have caused severe weather across the area.
The initial heatwave, which affected western and southern regions, took place from June 17 to 22, impacting countries such as Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, as reported by the EU-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) on Wednesday.
A second and more severe heat wave occurred at the end of the month, with a regional daily average hitting 24.9 degrees Celsius on June 30 and July 1, marking the highest temperature ever recorded in June.
This extreme weather led June 2025's temperatures to exceed the previous high of 2003 by 0.06 degrees Celsius and to be a remarkable 2.81 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average, according to C3S.
The C3S attributed this phenomenon to 'heat domes'—persistent high-pressure systems—that trap hot air over Europe, leading to prolonged droughts, increased ozone pollution, and heightened wildfire risks.
Tropical nights, characterized by temperatures that do not drop below 20 degrees Celsius, became common in southern Europe during this period. Certain areas in Spain reported up to 24 such nights, 18 more than the June average. Mediterranean coastal regions, typically seeing few or none, recorded between 10 to 15 tropical nights, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
This nighttime heat can hinder the body's ability to recover from daytime stress, creating increased health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, according to C3S.
Additionally, the western Mediterranean Sea faced an unprecedented marine heatwave. On June 30, sea surface temperatures averaged 27 degrees Celsius, setting a record for the month. The daily anomaly of 3.7 degrees Celsius was the largest ever documented in any month.
“This heatwave was exacerbated by record sea surface temperatures in the western Mediterranean. In a warming climate, heatwaves are expected to become more frequent, more severe, and affect an increasing number of people across Europe,” stated Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
Globally, June 2025 was noted as the third-warmest June on record, following only 2023 and 2024, according to C3S.
Point of View
It's evident that the alarming heat in Western Europe serves as a wake-up call regarding climate change and its immediate effects. This situation must prompt us to rethink our environmental policies and act decisively to mitigate these impacts.
NationPress
20/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the extreme heat in Western Europe?
The extreme heat was largely caused by persistent high-pressure systems known as 'heat domes' that trapped hot air over the region.
How does this heatwave compare to previous records?
June 2025's average temperature of 20.49 degrees Celsius surpassed the previous high of 2003 by 0.06 degrees Celsius and was 2.81 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average.
What are tropical nights?
Tropical nights refer to nights when temperatures do not fall below 20 degrees Celsius, which have become increasingly common in southern Europe during this heatwave.
What risks does nighttime heat pose?
High nighttime temperatures can hinder recovery from daytime stress and pose increased health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.
How did the marine heatwave affect sea temperatures?
The western Mediterranean Sea experienced a marine heatwave, with sea surface temperatures averaging 27 degrees Celsius on June 30, the highest for the month.
