In the year 2024, Summer experienced record-breaking temperatures across Southeastern Europe, making it the region's warmest summer on record.
In 2024, Southeast Europe saw an unprecedented streak of extreme heat, surpassing its usual average by a significant margin. As per an EU expert's assessment, this phenomenon not only impacts rivers and seas but heavily influences the well-being of local citizens.
The European Union's Copernicus service reported that people residing in Southeast Europe endured 66 days of "severe heat stress" from June through August. This marks an enormous jump from the region's typical average of 29 days.
According to Copernicus, regions like Southeast Europe and Fennoscandia (comprising Scandinavia, Finland, and the Russian peninsula of Kola) recorded unprecedented temperature highs. Conversely, the average temperatures in Northwestern Europe were either at or below usual levels.
The Mediterranean too recorded a record high, with an average surface temperature of 28.45°C on August 13.
Samantha Burgess, Copernicus' deputy director, discussed the issue, mentioning, "The extreme heat waves afflicting regions such as Southeast Europe pose serious implications for the well-being of European citizens, given that people in these areas are now experiencing more heat stress than ever before."
Europe witnessed substantial variation in rainfall. The majority of the continent, specifically the southeast, experienced below-average rainfall. In contrast, regions like northern Britain, Fennoscandia, and the Baltic states recorded up to 20 more rainy days than usual.
Approximately 35% of European rivers, majorly located in Southeast Europe, were left with abysmally low water levels. On the other hand, Central European rivers showed unusually high water levels during this period.
The heat wave experienced in Southeast Europe in 2024, as reported by Copernicus, led to 66 days of severe heat stress, significantly surpassing the region's typical average of 29 days. Due to this extreme heat, European citizens in these areas are now facing more heat stress than ever before, according to Samantha Burgess, Copernicus' deputy director.
