June and July 2026 were the hottest months on record in Western Europe. The average air temperature during this period was +21.62 ℃, which is 2.79 ℃ higher than the average for June from 1991 to 2020, reports the Copernicus Climate Change Service of Europe.

Since May, four heat waves have been recorded in Western Europe, which is unusually high for the region.

In addition, the world oceans, except for the polar regions, warmed to record levels in July, the KNA agency reported. One of the reasons is the El Niño natural phenomenon in the tropical Pacific Ocean, which, according to forecasts, will intensify in the coming months, DW reports.

The average sea surface temperature between 60 degrees north and south latitudes in July was +20.96 ℃. The previous record of +20.89 ℃ was set in 2023.