Much of Europe has been sweltering under a persistent heat dome that shattered May temperature records from the Atlantic coast to the Baltic. France’s national weather service, Météo France, reported on 25 May that new monthly highs were set at more than 350 stations, with the peak of 37.1°C recorded near Hossegor, close to Biarritz. The United Kingdom also broke its record for the hottest May day for a second consecutive day, with parts of London exceeding 35°C.
According to WFY24, a global weather forecasting service, dozens of European capitals saw temperatures far above their climatological normals for late May. London experienced the largest anomaly, with readings more than 16°C above the seasonal average. Paris was 14°C above, Berlin 11°C, and both Lisbon and Madrid were 10°C above. Even Oslo, typically cooler, reached 18°C — 3°C above its May mean.
Climate Change’s Clear Fingerprints
While meteorologists attribute the immediate cause to a heat dome — a high-pressure system that traps hot air — the increasing frequency and intensity of such events is driven by human-caused global warming. “This record-breaking heat has the fingerprints of climate change all over it,” said 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.”
Otto warned that records will continue to tumble 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 added. “While we have made some progress in cutting emissions, it is not fast enough.”
What Summer 2026 Holds
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, which can limit winds and lead to stagnant, hot days. Seasonal temperatures are expected to be above average across all regions, with the strongest signal over southeastern Europe. C3S also points to below-average rainfall in eastern parts of the continent. For a deeper look at these projections, see Copernicus Scientist Warns Europe Faces Potentially Hottest Summer on Record.
Ioanna Vergini, founder of WFY24, told 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.” She explained that for every 1°C rise in air temperature, the atmosphere can hold about seven percent more moisture, leading to more intense rainfall events. “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 said. “Cities are where people die.”
The urban heat island effect — where concrete and asphalt absorb heat, keeping outdoor temperatures high — exacerbates the danger in densely populated areas.
Adapting to a Hotter Continent
European cities are increasingly taking action to protect their citizens. Spain boasts the world’s most extensive network of climate shelters — public buildings offering free seating, water, and air conditioning. Barcelona alone has 400 such shelters in libraries, museums, sports centres, and shopping malls. Other capitals are following suit: the General Council of Bucharest recently approved the establishment of climate shelters. Paris has been preparing for decades, transforming heat-trapping streets into green oases. Since 2020, more than 6,000 parking spaces and 1.3 hectares of asphalt have been removed to allow for greening. By 2024, nearly 100 Parisian streets featured planters, and over 100,000 trees have been planted since 2020 to provide shade and absorb heat-trapping gases. For more on the UK’s recent heat, see UK Records Hottest May Day as Heat Dome Drives Britons to Beaches and Pools.
Vergini offered practical advice: “Know your country’s heat warnings, check on elderly neighbours and don’t trust the night to cool off. Tropical nights (where the temperature never drops below 25°C) are now routine in southern Europe and compound the daytime stress on the body.”
As the continent faces a summer that may bring record-breaking heat, the message from scientists and forecasters is clear: Europe’s infrastructure and habits must adapt to a climate that is no longer what it once was. For a broader perspective on the heat dome’s impact, read France's Record May Heat Tests Climate Readiness as Heat Dome Settles Over Europe.
