Europe's June Heatwave: Historic Intensity, 410 Million Affected, Thousands Dead
Europe's late June heatwave was one of the most severe ever, affecting 410 million people with temperatures over 35°C. It caused thousands of excess deaths across France, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Experts link its intensity and record-breaking temperatures to climate change.
Europe experienced a powerful heatwave in late June, described by experts as among the worst ever recorded, rivalling the 2003 episode. A heat dome trapped hot air from North Africa over the Iberian Peninsula, spreading across Europe before weakening in early July.
While shorter than the 2003 heatwave, the June 2024 event set numerous temperature records, notably occurring in June. Meteo France reported 114 instances of temperatures above 40°C between June 17-29, exceeding the 87 instances in August 2003. France's weather service called it «more intense» than the 2003 episode, which caused 15,000 deaths in France.
World Weather Attribution scientists stated this heatwave was the «most severe ever recorded» and would have been «virtually impossible» without climate change. Germany's weather service called it «historic,» noting no such long and intense heatwave occurred so early in summer. More than two-thirds of Europeans, approximately 410 million people, endured temperatures over 35°C during June 15-30.
The heatwave is linked to thousands of excess deaths. France saw a 29.1% increase in deaths (2,025 additional) during the week of June 22. Spain reported at least 1,028 heat-related deaths in June. Belgium had 1,222 excess fatalities (39% above normal) between June 18-29, and the Netherlands estimated 480 more deaths for June 22-28. Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Hungary recorded their hottest temperatures ever, while the UK, France, and Switzerland set new June highs.