'Exceptional heatwave' made this June the hottest ever for western Europe
Europe has been sizzling in high temperatures in recent weeks and new data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service has confirmed that for the west of the continent, it was the hottest June of modern records.
'June 2025 saw an exceptional heatwave impact large parts of western Europe, with much of the region experiencing very strong heat stress,' said Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the service.
'This heatwave was made more intense by record sea surface temperatures in the western Mediterranean,' Burgess said.
'In a warming world, heatwaves are likely to become more frequent, more intense and impact more people across Europe.'
Globally, June 2025 was the third-warmest June on record.
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Most of western and central Europe experienced warmer-than-average air temperatures last month.
Western Europe experienced an average temperature of 20.49°C, which is 2.81°C above the 1991–2020 average for June.
It narrowly beat the previous June record set in 2003 of 20.43°C.
The Copernicus report notes that two major heatwaves in mid- and late June 2025 affected large parts of western and southern Europe, with much of the region experiencing feels-like temperatures surpassing 38°C, corresponding to 'very strong heat stress'.
Beyond Europe, the regions where temperatures were most above average were the United States, northern Canada, central Asia, eastern Asia, and west Antarctica.
The regions where temperatures were most below average were southern South America, with record cold conditions recorded in Argentina and Chile, and India and east Antarctica also had below-average temperatures.
The month was wetter than average in some areas, including Ireland, Denmark and the northern UK, but drier than average on the whole for much of western and southern Europe.
Arctic sea ice extent was 6% below average, the second lowest monthly extent for June in the 47-year satellite record. Antarctic sea ice extent was 9% below average, its third lowest value for the month of June.
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The Journal
4 days ago
- The Journal
'Exceptional heatwave' made this June the hottest ever for western Europe
THIS JUNE WAS the hottest on record for western Europe due to the 'exceptional hitwave' that hit the region. Europe has been sizzling in high temperatures in recent weeks and new data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service has confirmed that for the west of the continent, it was the hottest June of modern records. 'June 2025 saw an exceptional heatwave impact large parts of western Europe, with much of the region experiencing very strong heat stress,' said Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the service. 'This heatwave was made more intense by record sea surface temperatures in the western Mediterranean,' Burgess said. 'In a warming world, heatwaves are likely to become more frequent, more intense and impact more people across Europe.' Globally, June 2025 was the third-warmest June on record. Advertisement Most of western and central Europe experienced warmer-than-average air temperatures last month. Western Europe experienced an average temperature of 20.49°C, which is 2.81°C above the 1991–2020 average for June. It narrowly beat the previous June record set in 2003 of 20.43°C. The Copernicus report notes that two major heatwaves in mid- and late June 2025 affected large parts of western and southern Europe, with much of the region experiencing feels-like temperatures surpassing 38°C, corresponding to 'very strong heat stress'. Beyond Europe, the regions where temperatures were most above average were the United States, northern Canada, central Asia, eastern Asia, and west Antarctica. The regions where temperatures were most below average were southern South America, with record cold conditions recorded in Argentina and Chile, and India and east Antarctica also had below-average temperatures. The month was wetter than average in some areas, including Ireland, Denmark and the northern UK, but drier than average on the whole for much of western and southern Europe. Arctic sea ice extent was 6% below average, the second lowest monthly extent for June in the 47-year satellite record. Antarctic sea ice extent was 9% below average, its third lowest value for the month of June. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Heatwaves to become 'more frequent, more intense' in Europe
Intense heatwaves like the one that hit the Mediterranean late last month are set to become 'more frequent, more intense and impact more people across Europe', it has been warned. The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service said last month was the third warmest June ever recorded globally as an 'exceptional heatwave' impacted large parts of western Europe. It comes as Ireland is set for a period of hot weather of its own this week, with Met Éireann forecasting an 'Azores High' to bring temperatures as high as 28 degrees by the weekend. Copernicus said that June 2025 was just 0.2C cooler than the record last year in June 2024. However, it was 1.3C above the pre-industrial level which is only the third month in the last 24 with a global temperature less than 1.5C above this level which is seen as a crucial threshold above which the effects of climate change globally would worsen significantly. Copernicus said that western Europe saw its warmest June on record given it was the focus of the heatwaves. Heat stress It said much of the region saw the 'feels-like' temperatures exceeding 38C, bringing 'very strong heat stress'. Parts of Portugal saw temperatures feeling like 48C or 'extreme heat stress', it said. Conversely, it said that June 2025 was wetter than average in Ireland and the north of Britain. Although Europe saw significant heatwaves in June, this has continued well into July as France, Spain and others were subject to health warnings given the intense heat. Last week, temperatures were forecast to reach 40C in Paris and to stay unusually high in Belgium and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, 17 of Italy's 27 major cities were experiencing a heatwave, according to health officials. A tourist wearing a hat and a face mask walks during a heatwave at the Trocadero square in front of the Eiffel Tower, in Paris, on June 30. Picture: Ludovic Marin / AFP via Getty In Greece this week, authorities imposed mandatory work breaks in parts of the country expected to exceed 40C. The Labour Ministry ordered the midday to 5pm stoppage for outdoor manual labour and food delivery services, primarily in central Greece and on some islands. 'June 2025 saw an exceptional heatwave impact large parts of western Europe, with much of the region experiencing very strong heat stress,' Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, said. 'This heatwave was made more intense by record sea surface temperatures in the western Mediterranean. In a warming world, heatwaves are likely to become more frequent, more intense and impact more people across Europe.' Temperatures in Ireland Met Éireann, meanwhile, has stated that high pressure will continue to build this week, with warm and settled weather expected to persist. It has also said it will become 'very warm or even hot from Thursday'. Friday and Saturday are set to be the warmest days, with temperatures ranging from 23 to 28 degrees. It previously said that June 2025 was the fourth warmest June on record in Ireland, despite being on the cloudier northern edge of the heat dome that hit Europe during that month. "[This] brought some uncomfortably high nighttime temperatures, contributing to the high June temperatures overall,' Met Éireann said.
The Journal
6 days ago
- The Journal
Warm, dry weather expected today and this week, including temperatures of 28 degrees on Friday
IT WILL BE a warm and dry day for those in the midlands, east and south of the country as temperatures are set to reach as high as 23 degrees. This week will bring hot and dry weather for most of the country, with the latest forecast suggesting that temperatures will trend upwards and reach 28 degrees by Friday. Some light, cool breezes will be felt today, mostly in the west and the north, with some patchy showers expected throughout the day. Conditions are to remain largely dry overnight, but some rain is expected over Connaught, according to Met Éireann . Tomorrow will be more humid, with patchy rain in most parts of the country at times. Advertisement The warmest weather tomorrow will be felt in the midlands and Munster. Temperatures are likely to reach highs of 17 to 23 degrees. This week's warm weather is largely thanks to a weather phenomenon known as the Azores High , which is a large atmospheric high-pressure centre that builds up over the subtropical region. On Friday, temperatures are likely to reach highs of 28 degrees . Dry, sunny weather is expected all week, with some light, variable breezes expected around the country. Shifting weather patterns around the world and successive record-breaking conditions are evidence of climate change, which is being caused by human activities leading to excessive greenhouse gas emissions that trap heat inside the atmosphere. Many people will have enjoyed the unusually warm conditions this year – but it's also a concerning signal of the climate change the world faces, which is on track to escalate in coming years if countries fail to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Unsure of what exactly is happening with the earth's climate? Check out our new FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online. Visit Knowledge Bank Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
