European Heatwave Arrives Early; Climate Experts: Extreme Heat Becoming New Normal
The EU's climate monitoring agency reported that the world experienced its second hottest May on record, while Europe faced an unusually early heatwave, with extreme heat gradually becoming the 'new normal' for the continent.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 15:01
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 15:13 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 15:14 (0 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Paris, 10th Combined Foreign Reports) The European Union's climate monitoring agency stated today that the world has just experienced its second hottest May on record, while Europe was hit by an unusually early heatwave. As extreme climate phenomena become more frequent, high temperatures are gradually becoming the 'new normal' in Europe.
According to AFP, in May this year, the UK, France, Ireland, and Portugal all broke high-temperature records. Warm air from North Africa formed a so-called 'heat dome,' causing temperatures across Western Europe to be significantly higher than normal.
In its May climate report, the Copernicus Climate Change Service noted, 'The climate this month was characterized by a rapid transition from well-below-average cool weather to one of the most intense heatwaves on record for the same period in Western Europe.'
Samantha Burgess, Director of Climate Strategy at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, said, 'This unusually early and intense heatwave shows that extreme climate is rapidly transitioning from an exception to the new normal.'
The Copernicus Climate Change Service indicated that the 'feels-like' temperature in many parts of Europe reached 35 to 40 degrees Celsius.
The report pointed out, 'Such a rapid temperature shift can exacerbate the impact on people, leaving them little time to adapt to the heat; simultaneously, crops and ecosystems in the growing season also struggle to adjust in time.'
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the global average surface air temperature in May this year reached 15.81 degrees Celsius, second only to May 2024, making it the second highest on record.
The global average sea surface temperature also set a record for the second highest, only lower than May 2024. Experts noted that current climate conditions are gradually moving towards an El Niño phenomenon, which has a warming effect.
Multiple forecasts warn that the upcoming El Niño could be one of the strongest on record and could push global temperatures to a new all-time high in 2027.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stated last week that the probability of an El Niño forming between June and August this year is as high as 80%, which will increase the risk of extreme weather events worldwide.
The previous El Niño event drove up global temperatures, making 2023 the second hottest year on record, while 2024 broke the record for the hottest year globally. (Editor: Xu Ruicheng) 1150610
According to AFP, in May this year, the UK, France, Ireland, and Portugal all broke high-temperature records. Warm air from North Africa formed a so-called 'heat dome,' causing temperatures across Western Europe to be significantly higher than normal.
In its May climate report, the Copernicus Climate Change Service noted, 'The climate this month was characterized by a rapid transition from well-below-average cool weather to one of the most intense heatwaves on record for the same period in Western Europe.'
Samantha Burgess, Director of Climate Strategy at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, said, 'This unusually early and intense heatwave shows that extreme climate is rapidly transitioning from an exception to the new normal.'
The Copernicus Climate Change Service indicated that the 'feels-like' temperature in many parts of Europe reached 35 to 40 degrees Celsius.
The report pointed out, 'Such a rapid temperature shift can exacerbate the impact on people, leaving them little time to adapt to the heat; simultaneously, crops and ecosystems in the growing season also struggle to adjust in time.'
According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the global average surface air temperature in May this year reached 15.81 degrees Celsius, second only to May 2024, making it the second highest on record.
The global average sea surface temperature also set a record for the second highest, only lower than May 2024. Experts noted that current climate conditions are gradually moving towards an El Niño phenomenon, which has a warming effect.
Multiple forecasts warn that the upcoming El Niño could be one of the strongest on record and could push global temperatures to a new all-time high in 2027.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stated last week that the probability of an El Niño forming between June and August this year is as high as 80%, which will increase the risk of extreme weather events worldwide.
The previous El Niño event drove up global temperatures, making 2023 the second hottest year on record, while 2024 broke the record for the hottest year globally. (Editor: Xu Ruicheng) 1150610
FAQ
What was the global average temperature in May 2025?
It was 15.81 degrees Celsius, the second highest on record after May 2024.
When did the European heatwave start?
An unusually early heatwave hit Europe in May 2025, causing record temperatures in Western Europe.
What is the probability of an El Niño event?
According to WMO, there is an 80% chance of an El Niño forming between June and August 2025.