anticipate Southeast Europe enduring its most scorching summer on record in the year 2024.
In 2024, Southeast Europe saw an unprecedented heatwave, as per the EU's climate service Copernicus. Over six weeks from June to August, the region experienced an astounding 66 days of "severe heat stress". This exceeds the typical average of 29 days in this region by a substantial margin.
European regions like Southeast Europe and Fennoscandia, which encompasses Scandinavia, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula, witnessed all-time high temperatures. Conversely, Northwestern Europe maintained temperatures that were either at or beneath the average.
The Mediterranean also broke its own record, with the average surface temperature hitting a scorching 28.45°C on August 13.
Samantha Burgess, the deputy director of the climate service, shed some light on the situation, stating, "The unprecedented heat in regions like Southeast Europe is taking a toll on the well-being of Europeans, with citizens in this region enduring more heat stress than ever before."
Significant fluctuations in rainfall were observed across Europe. The Southeast, for instance, experienced significantly less rainfall than usual, while regions like northern Britain, Fennoscandia, and the Baltic states saw a surplus of up to 20 rainy days.
Approximately 35% of European rivers, primarily in Southeast Europe, faced severe water scarcity. In contrast, rivers in Central Europe were significantly swollen for this time of year.
The Commission has issued a warning about the impact of the prolonged heatwave on public health in Southeast Europe. The Commission has called for increased willingness from EU member states to implement measures aimed at mitigating climate change.
