2026 European heatwaves facts for kids
Thematic radiometer imagery of surface temperature captured by Copernicus Sentinel-3 on Tuesday 26 May
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| Type | Heatwave |
|---|---|
| Areas | Europe |
| Start date | 22 May 2026 |
| Peak temp. | 45.1 °C (113.2 °F), recorded at Andújar and Montoro, Spain on Monday, 22 June 2026 and Tuesday, 23 June 2026 respectively |
| Losses | |
| Deaths | Over 10,440+ people sadly passed away across Europe due to the heat. |
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Europe experienced very strong heatwaves starting in late May 2026. Many countries, like Belgium, France, Germany, and Spain, saw record-breaking temperatures. These heatwaves brought unusually hot weather for spring and early summer. Scientists believe that changes in our climate are making summers start earlier and become more intense.
The first heatwave began around May 24th. Temperatures were much higher than normal for that time of year. This led to some sad situations where people became very ill from the heat. May 2026 had the highest temperatures ever recorded for that month and for spring. Western Europe felt the heat the most, with France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom reporting new temperature records. Portugal reached 40 degrees Celsius, and Spain also saw very high temperatures.
A second, even stronger heatwave started on June 17th, just before the official start of summer. In France, June 23rd was the hottest day recorded since 1947. Temperatures reached 44.3 degrees Celsius in Pissos and 40.9 degrees Celsius in Paris. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) explained that this heatwave affected many parts of Western, Central, and Southern Europe. Sadly, the World Health Organization reported that many more people passed away than usual due to the high temperatures. Experts also said that a heatwave like this in June would have been almost impossible in the past without human-caused climate change.
Contents
What is a Heatwave?
A heatwave is a period of unusually hot weather that lasts for several days. During a heatwave, temperatures are much higher than what is normal for that time of year. This can be dangerous for people, animals, and even buildings and roads.
How Europe Faced the Heat
The 2026 heatwaves brought many challenges across Europe. Countries had to issue special warnings and take steps to keep people safe. This included opening cooling centers, advising people to stay hydrated, and sometimes even closing schools or canceling events. The extreme heat also affected nature, causing dry conditions that increased the risk of wildfires.
Highest Temperatures Recorded by Country
Here are some of the highest temperatures recorded in various European countries during the 2026 heatwaves:
| Country | Temperature | Record | Date | Location | Ref(s). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Austria |
40.1 °C (104.2 °F) | June | 29 June | Bad Deutsch-Altenburg | |
 Belarus |
40.4 °C (104.7 °F) | All-time | 29 June | Pinsk | |
 Belgium |
38.4 °C (101.1 °F) | 26 June | Kleine-Brogel | ||
 Bosnia and Herzegovina |
41 °C (106 °F) | 28 June | Mostar | ||
 Croatia |
41.0 °C (105.8 °F) | 30 June | Knin | ||
 Czechia |
41.9 °C (107.4 °F) | All-time | 28 June | Doksany | |
 Denmark |
37.0 °C (98.6 °F) | All-time | 27 June | Ødum | |
 France |
44.3 °C (111.7 °F) | 23 June | Pissos | ||
 Germany |
41.8 °C (107.2 °F) | All-time | 27 June | Möckern-Drewitz | |
 Hungary |
42.0 °C (107.6 °F) | All-time | 30 June | Szécsény | |
 Ireland |
30.6 °C (87.1 °F) | May | 26 May | Shannon Airport | |
 Italy |
40.1 °C (104.2 °F) | 29 June | Bologna | ||
 Luxembourg |
38.6 °C (101.5 °F) | June | 26 June | Findel | |
 Lithuania |
36.3 °C (97.3 °F) | June | 28 June | Druskininkai | |
 Moldova |
41 °C (106 °F) | June | 30 June | Cahul | |
 Netherlands |
39.4 °C (102.9 °F) | June | 26 June | Ell | |
 Poland |
40.5 °C (104.9 °F) | All-time | 28 June | Słubice | |
 Portugal |
44.3 °C (111.7 °F) | 3 July | Mora | ||
 Romania |
40.6 °C (105.1 °F) | 29 June | Bihor, Săcueni, Jimbolia, Timiș | ||
 Slovakia |
41.3 °C (106.3 °F) | All-time | 30 June | Kamenica nad Hronom | |
 Slovenia |
38.7 °C (101.7 °F) | June | 29 June | Podnanos | |
 Spain |
45.1 °C (113.2 °F) | 22 and 23 June | Andújar and Montoro | ||
 Sweden |
36.8 °C (98.2 °F) | June | 27 June | Osby | |
 Switzerland |
39.0 °C (102.2 °F) | June | 27 June | Binningen | |
 Ukraine |
36.7 °C (98.1 °F) | June | 28 June | Lutsk | |
 United Kingdom |
37.7 °C (99.9 °F) | June | 26 June | Lingwood |
Staying Safe in the Heat
During heatwaves, it's important to stay safe. Here are some tips:
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day.
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.
- Take cool showers or baths.
- Check on friends, family, and neighbors, especially older people.
The heat also affected daily life in other ways. Roads and railway tracks sometimes buckled or melted due to the extreme temperatures. This caused delays and closures for travelers. Power grids also faced extra strain as more people used air conditioning and fans. This led to some power outages in different areas.
See also
- Climate change in Europe
- 2025 European heatwaves
- European heatwave
