Europe experienced its warmest summer on record in 2024, with extreme temperatures impacting the wellbeing of Europeans, particularly in regions such as southeastern Europe. The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported that temperatures in the continent were 1.54C higher than the 1991 to 2020 average, exceeding the previous record set in 2022 by 0.2C. Heat stress, caused by factors such as wind speed and humidity, was a major concern, with southeastern Europe experiencing 66 days of strong heat stress, the highest on record.
While some parts of Europe, such as northwest Europe and parts of the UK, saw cooler temperatures, other regions experienced extreme heatwaves. Italy, Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria saw high temperatures, with some areas experiencing temperatures exceeding 40C. Southeastern Europe and Scandinavia had their hottest summers on record, with southeastern Europe experiencing 60% more warm days than average.
The contrast in rainfall patterns across Europe was also significant, with some regions experiencing more wet days than average, while others saw below-average rainfall. Additionally, 35% of European rivers had notably low water levels, especially in the southeast, while central Europe saw exceptionally high river flows.
Heat stress, exacerbated by climate change, is a significant threat to human health, with at least 175,000 people dying each year across Europe due to heat-related causes. The World Health Organization has identified heat stress as the leading cause of climate-related death in the region. These extreme weather conditions underscore the urgent need for countries to take robust action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com
