Independent intergovernmental European weather centre
Copernicus data show July 2026 set global sea-surface-temperature records outside polar regions, driven by El Niño and human-caused warming. Western Europe endures its hottest June–July period on record, with wildfires, drought, and stressed water supplies. Italy, France, and the UK have issued heat warnings as authorities adapt to intensifying heat and dry conditions.
Copernicus records show Western Europe has faced unprecedented heat in June–July 2026, with an average of 21.62C and soil moisture at historic lows. Rivers run low, powering drought and wildfires across France, Spain and beyond. El Niño is strengthening global temperatures, prompting warnings of deeper climate impacts.
AI models are delivering faster pattern recognition and higher accuracy for hurricane forecasts, with NOAA citing a 15-30% improvement over traditional methods. DeepMind and other labs are expanding high‑resolution data use to sharpen predictions and enable earlier evacuations.
A new study in Nature Climate Change finds heat stress is spreading beyond traditional hot regions, with nights warming faster than days. The world’s population exposed to at least one day of extreme heat stress has risen to about 1 billion more people since the 1970s, and nights that stay warm hinder recovery after daytime heat.
A new Nature Climate Change study shows heat stress is expanding globally, with hotter nights intensifying risks. Europe faces record heat, sleep deprivation, and mounting health and infrastructure impacts as nights fail to cool. Authorities warn this will demand adaptation and resilience measures in coming years.
A European heatwave has intensified, with records shattered across multiple countries. New analyses attribute a substantial share of heat-related deaths to human-caused climate change, while authorities warn of ongoing health and infrastructure pressures as temperatures stay high.