Europe endured a record number of "extreme heat stress" days in 2023, two leading climate monitors said Monday, underscoring the threat of increasingly deadly summers across the continent.

Brussels

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently amid rising sea-levels and increasing temperatures.

Climate Crisis

Europe experienced a significant increase in "extreme heat stress" days in 2023, as reported by two leading climate monitors, the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization and the European Union's climate agency Copernicus. This development accentuates the growing concern over the potential for more lethal summers throughout the continent.

The comprehensive report released by these organizations revealed that 2023 was the hottest year on record, with Europe's temperatures now 2.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This contrasts with a global average that is 1.3 degrees Celsius higher. Aside from the heat, Europe also recorded its wettest year, with rainfall 7% above the norm. The unpredictable and intense nature of weather events in 2023, including their onset, extent, and duration, caught the scientific community by surprise.

In Greece, the year saw the largest forest fires ever recorded, with flames exacerbated by the extreme heat and leading to the destruction of over 170,000 hectares. Slovenia faced major flood events, with a record-breaking 200 millimeters of rainfall within a mere 12 hours, showcasing the catastrophic impact of such extreme weather conditions.

Projections from scientists indicate these severe weather occurrences will become more frequent, with 2024 expected to see even worse conditions. The variability between hot, dry, and wet conditions is anticipated to widen. Additionally, 2023 marked a significant milestone when the World Health Organization for the first time declared the climate crisis a health emergency. The European report particularly emphasizes the rising number of heat-related deaths across the continent, highlighting the significant impact of elevated temperatures on human health.



Europe suffered record number of 'extreme heat stress' days in 2023

It's another warning call. The UN's World Meteorological Organization and EU's climate agency Copernicus' latest report shows 2023 was the hottest year on record, especially in Europe, which is currently 2.3 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial times compared to 1.3 degrees Celsius higher globally, and has had the wettest year on record, 7% above average rainfall. Some of the events of 2023 took the scientific community by surprise because of their intensity, their speed of onset, extent and duration. In 2023, Europe saw its largest recorded forest fires in Greece, fanned by extreme heat, destroying over 170,000 hectares, as well as catastrophic flooding in parts of Europe, particularly in Slovenia, which had a record rainfall of over 200 millimetres in just 12 hours. But according to scientists, the worst is not over. These extreme weather events will only become more frequent in 2024. We only expect the severity of the extremes to get worse. We expect there to be wilder swings in fact between hot and dry and wet conditions. 2023 marked the first time the World Health Organization declared the climate crisis a health emergency. The European report highlights the impact of high temperatures on human health, stressing heat-related deaths have risen across the continent.

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Climate Crisis