environment
Europe saw record summer heat stress in 2026
52%▲ from 50
Europe exposed to very strong heat stress
Copernicus reported record heat stress across Europe during an exceptionally hot summer, alongside drought, historically low river flows, widespread fires and tens of thousands of deaths. Western Europe had its hottest summer on record.
2 sourcesFRANCE 24, The GuardianUpdated
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- 50 →52%
Europe exposed to very strong heat stress
1 of 2 sources“52 percent of Europe was exposed to "very strong" heat stress”
- 52%FRANCE 24
- 50%The Guardian
- 80%
Europe experienced strong heat stress
“Around 80 percent of the continent experienced "strong" heat stress”
- 41days
Days with strong heat stress by the end of the season
“which occurred on a record 41 days by the end of the season”