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Europe's Heat Wave: Unprecedented and Human-Caused
26 Jun
Summary
- June heat wave was virtually impossible decades ago.
- Extreme heat is 100 times more likely today than in 2003.
- Record heat has led to hundreds of fatalities and societal disruption.
A record-shattering June heat wave has gripped Europe, an event scientists at World Weather Attribution say was "virtually impossible" just decades ago. The ongoing extreme heat is the region's most severe ever recorded, directly linked to the human-driven climate crisis. This persistent heat dome has caused temperatures to break records across multiple countries.
Analysis indicates that daytime and nighttime temperatures during this period are now far more likely due to a nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit global warming over the past 50 years. Heat at night, which prevents bodily recovery, is now about 100 times more likely than in 2003. The high humidity exacerbates heat stress, with 45% of analyzed cities nearing record wet bulb globe temperatures.
The deadly heat has resulted in hundreds of reported fatalities and significant societal impacts, including school closures and disrupted services. Experts warn that without a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, such extreme heat waves will become more frequent and severe, posing a critical challenge to societies worldwide.
