Western Europe experienced an exceptionally long and intense heatwave throughout the summer, with temperatures frequently exceeding 40°C (104°F) across vast areas, according to a timelapse analysis of NASA data. The visualization, created using data from NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), maps daily maximum surface air temperatures across Western Europe from May 1 to August 19. Dark red areas on the map signify temperatures that met or surpassed 40°C.
The heatwave showed its first significant signs in May, with a heat dome producing exceptional temperatures that broke records in several countries. By mid-August, the continent was enduring its fifth heatwave of the season. These extreme temperature events were often unrelenting, persisting for days or even weeks and maintaining high temperatures overnight.
The timelapse illustrates the gradual expansion of extreme heat. By May 22, large portions of the continent, including Portugal, Spain, and Ukraine, began to show darker orange colors, indicating rising temperatures. By mid-June, numerous countries were marked in dark red, signifying temperatures of at least 40°C. Throughout the summer, historical heat records were shattered across Europe. In May, the United Kingdom recorded a temperature of 35.1°C, breaking the previous May record by 2.3°C. In June, Bordeaux, France, set a new maximum temperature record for three consecutive days, reaching 42.5°C. By August, Slovakia had established new national records for both daytime and nighttime temperatures.
The prolonged period of extreme heat has had significant consequences for people, wildlife, landscapes, and infrastructure. Wildfires have erupted in Greece, France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, and Croatia, displacing thousands of people. One fire in Belgium's Hautes Fagnes natural park became the nation's largest on record, surpassing a 2011 blaze. Hundreds were evacuated from a beach resort in northern Greece and a village in southwestern France. The United Kingdom experienced its worst fire season on record, with firefighters responding to over 1,132 incidents.
Preliminary reports suggest that the extreme heat may be linked to approximately 10,000 excess deaths across the UK, France, Germany, and Belgium. For a region unaccustomed to such prolonged summer heat, daily life was severely disrupted. Hospitalizations and heat-related fatalities saw a significant increase. Transportation infrastructure also suffered, with highways and train tracks buckling, leading to road closures and service disruptions.
The heat exacerbated a severe drought gripping the region, contributing to record-low river levels and disrupting water and power supplies, transportation networks, and agricultural activities. Scientists predict that future summers are likely to be even hotter and drier due to ongoing climate change.