Video: Western Europe Experiences Record-Breaking Heat Wave
Western Europe experienced its hottest June and July on record. Prolonged heat waves, drought, and widespread wildfires affected a significant portion of the region.
According to the EU Climate Change Monitoring Center, the average temperature in Western Europe for June and July was 21.62°C, surpassing the previous record set in 2022.
Many countries reported critically low soil moisture and falling water levels in rivers, including the Seine, the Rhine, and the Danube. This has impacted shipping, agriculture, and the energy sector.
Unprecedented heat has affected much of Europe this summer, and this week will be no exception️
Yet another spell of extremely hot weather is set to spread north across much of the UK, with temperatures reaching the mid-30s Celsius in some places pic.twitter.com/pOdPGhT8yL— Met Office (@metoffice) August 9, 2026
The hot and dry weather has also contributed to large-scale wildfires, particularly in France and Spain.
Rivers in Europe are drying up due to abnormal heat.
Water levels in the Rhine and Danube rivers have dropped so significantly that sunken ships, ammunition, and even mammoth remains have emerged to the surface.
In Switzerland, Lake Lac de Brenne is almost completely dry.… pic.twitter.com/Xeg6OKtWay— Beefeater (@Beefeater_Fella) August 7, 2026
Source: Euractiv.
On Thursday, August 6, Ukraine will continue to experience hot and dry weather with no precipitation. According to weather forecasters, daytime temperatures in most regions will reach 35–38°C, making this one of the hottest days since the start of summer.
Slovenia has become yet another European country to restrict the operation of a nuclear power plant due to adverse weather conditions. The country’s only nuclear power plant, located in Krško, has reduced electricity production to 80% of its capacity.
