Western Europe has just experienced its hottest June on record, with surface air temperatures soaring 3.06C above their average from recent decades, according to the EU's Copernicus climate monitoring service. This blistering heat comes as no surprise, given that scientists have long warned of the intensifying climate crisis.
Globally, June 2026 was identified as the second-warmest June on record, registering a scorching 0.56C hotter than the 1991-2020 average and a staggering 1.39C above pre-industrial levels. Ocean temperatures have also reached unprecedented highs, further exacerbating the climate emergency.
The devastating consequences of these extreme heatwaves are unfolding across Western Europe, with raging wildfires ravaging France and Spain. The EU has deployed firefighters and water-bearing planes to assist overwhelmed national services, which have battled blazes consuming 56% more land than usual for this time of year. In southern Europe, the toll is particularly dire: France has seen four times the average burned area and Spain double.
In Britain, experts warn that an "extreme" marine heatwave is affecting surrounding seas, while daytime temperatures are forecast to reach highs of 34C over the next ten days. The previous month's heatwave was characterised by exceptionally warm overnight temperatures, leading to record-high average June minimums and widespread sleep deprivation.
As Stephen Belcher, Chief Scientist of the Met Office, notes, seeing such temperatures in the UK in June is "sobering" – a stark reminder of the implications of climate change. With wildfires already spreading rapidly across southern and eastern England, fire services are urging people to exercise extreme caution outdoors, highlighting the crucial role of individual actions in preventing these disasters.