Record heat has ‘fingerprints of climate change all over it’. What can Europe expect this summer?
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"The climate we are living in today is simply not the one we grew up with, and our buildings and infrastructure are woefully unprepared for what's next.”
Record May temperatures have sweltered huge parts of Europe, as countries remain trapped under a “powerful” heat dome – but experts warn the worst is yet to come.
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France’s weather agency Météo France declared on Monday (25 May) that new monthly highs had been logged at more than 350 weather stations, with the highest temperature of 37.1°C registered near Hossegor, close to Biarritz. The intense heat has been linked to multiple deaths, and shows no signs of shifting.
The UK record for the hottest May day was also broken for a second consecutive day yesterday, as temperatures in parts of London surpassed a scorching 35°C.
According to weather forecaster WFY24, dozens of European capitals witnessed temperatures far above the climatological normal high for this time of year.
London faced the biggest anomaly, with temperatures exceeding 16°C above average May conditions, while Paris (+14°C), Berlin (+11°C), Lisbon (+10°C) and Madrid (+10°C) also faced exceptionally high temperatures. Even cooler regions like Oslo experienced balmy temperatures of 18°C, an additional 3°C from average temperatures for late May.
Is climate change behind Europe’s sweltering May temperatures?
While forecasters have blamed the sustained intense temperatures on a heat dome, which locks in extreme heat, the phenomenon itself is becoming more common due to human-caused global warming.
“This record-breaking heat has the fingerprints of climate change all over it,” says Friederike Otto, a professor of Climate Science at Imperial College London.
“Temperatures on this scale were once exceptional even at the height of summer. Seeing 35°C in the UK during spring is absolutely astonishing, but the science is very clear – climate change makes these heatwaves hotter, longer and far more frequent.”
RelatedOtto warns that temperature records will continue until global emissions are cut and countries reach net zero.
“The climate we are living in today is simply not the one we grew up with, and our buildings and infrastructure are woefully unprepared for what's next,” she adds.“While we have made some progress in cutting emissions, it is not fast enough.”
Which countries will be hit hardest by rising temperatures in 2026?
The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) predict that summer 2026 will likely be influenced by a “relatively weak atmospheric pressure pattern”.
This can heavily impact temperature by limiting winds, which often leads to stagnant, hot days.
Seasonal temperature is likely to be above average in all regions this summer, with the most confident signal over southeastern parts of the continent – while C3S also points to below-average rainfall in eastern parts of Europe.
Ioanna Vergini, founder of world weather forecast WFY24, tells Euronews Earth that Europe should brace for “compound heat-and-drought in the south, a wildfire arc from Portugal to Greece, followed by flash-floods in autumn.”
For every 1℃ rise in air temperature, the atmosphere can hold around seven per cent more moisture, which can lead to more intense and heavy rainfall.
“Southern Europe remains the most vulnerable hotspot, but central and eastern Europe are warming the fastest and they’re the least adapted to 35°C+ days they now face routinely,” Vergini says. “Cities are where people die.”
Infrastructure such as concrete and asphalt absorbs heat, which keeps outdoor temperatures high, especially in cities. This is known as the urban heat island effect.
How can Europeans deal with extreme heat this summer?
European cities are quickly addressing the need to protect citizens from heat stress. Spain, for example, is home to the world’s most extensive network of climate shelters – providing access to public buildings that have free seating, water and air conditioning.
In Barcelona alone, there are already 400 climate shelters in public buildings such as libraries, museums, sports centres and shopping malls. Other cities are catching onto the incentive, with the General Council of Bucharest approving the establishment of climate shelters earlier this month.
Cities like Paris have also been preparing for rising temperatures for decades, making efforts to turn heat-trapping streets into a “green oasis”. Since 2020, more than 6,000 parking spaces and 1.3 hectares of asphalt have been removed to enable the streets to be greened.
By 2024, there were almost 100 Parisian streets with planters, allowing nature to thrive alongside urban life. Trees and plants improve air quality, creating an added benefit for polluted cities.
More than 100,000 trees have been planted in Paris since 2020 to provide more shade for residents and increase the absorption of heat-trapping gases.
“Know your country’s heat warnings, check on elderly neighbours and don’t trust the night to cool off,” Vergini adds.
“Tropical nights (where the temperature never drops below 25°C) are now routine in southern Europe and compound the daytime stress on the body.”
The expert urges authorities to stop treating heat planning as “reactive” and make sure measurements are scheduled. “Seasonal forecasts give multi-month lead time, what’s missing is the operational use of it,” she says.
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France has been bracing for extreme heat for years. Is it prepared?
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