Climate change made Europe's record June heatwave far more severe, say scientists

A study released by World Weather Attribution (WWA) group has found that the current heatwave was considerably hotter than similar events recorded in previous decades

LONDON: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-June 27th, 2026) Human-induced climate change significantly intensified the record-breaking heatwave sweeping across Europe, with scientists concluding that such extreme temperatures would have been virtually impossible without global warming.

A study released by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group found that the current heatwave was considerably hotter than similar events recorded in previous decades. Researchers estimated that a comparable heatwave occurring in June 1976 would have been around 3.5 degrees Celsius cooler during daytime hours.

The scientists said rising global temperatures, driven primarily by the continued use of coal, oil and natural gas, have dramatically increased the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events.

According to the study, Europe—the world's fastest-warming continent—is experiencing unprecedented temperatures, with millions of people affected as several countries continue to record new June temperature highs.

Researchers noted that while the atmospheric weather pattern responsible for the heatwave is not unusual, climate change has amplified its impact by pushing temperatures to record levels.

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The study also compared the current heatwave with Europe's devastating 2003 heat event and found that today's temperatures are significantly higher. Scientists warned that similar extreme heat events are now tens to hundreds of times more likely than they were just two decades ago.

Another major concern highlighted in the report is the rise in "heat stress," a dangerous combination of high temperatures and humidity that can overwhelm the body's natural cooling system. Heat stress can lead to dehydration, dizziness, heatstroke, organ failure and, in severe cases, death.

Researchers estimated that nearly half of the approximately 850 European cities included in the analysis have either broken or are expected to break their June heat stress records during the ongoing heatwave.

Scientists stressed that reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels remain essential to limiting future warming and preventing increasingly severe heatwaves and their associated health risks.