Last week, temperatures all across Europe rose, breaking new records for the month of May. According to Severe Weather Europe, these new temperatures, which have risen by 12–16°C, are expected to become the norm as climate change progresses. While Southern European countries such as Spain and Portugal experience daytime temperatures of 38°C, other Northern countries such as Germany and the UK are witnessing temperatures over 30°C.
In France, more than 350 towns have registered their highest temperatures ever for the month, with the highest temperature reaching 37.1°C in Hossegor, in the Department of Landes. The UK’s Met Office has stated that the country’s May temperature record has been the highest ever, recorded at London’s Kew Gardens, with 34.8°C. Meanwhile, in Spain, temperatures have ranged between 5 and 10°C higher than normal for this period, according to AEMET. In some valleys such as the Guadiana and Ebro, temperatures have reached 36–38°C and could potentially reach 40°C. In this Southern European country, it is expected that residents will experience nights during the month when temperatures do not drop below 20°C, also called “tropical nights.”
According to climate scientist Christophe Cassou, “This is an unprecedented event with a one in 1,000 chance of happening at this time of year based on the climate from 1979 to 2025 and was virtually impossible in the preindustrial era.”
As heatwaves become increasingly more frequent in May and temperatures throughout the year continue to break records, serious concerns about droughts, wildfires, as well as heat-related deaths are emerging as some of Europe’s most serious and potentially irreversible risks. The upcoming summer, which is likely to be the hottest on record, must be a call to accelerate the implementation of climate policy across the continent and renew commitment to this cause in a Europe distracted by economic uncertainty and nearby conflicts.
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