Europe Hit by Record Heat Wave During London Climate Week

A record-breaking heat wave has gripped Europe, shattering temperature records and claiming lives, as tens of thousands of delegates gathered in London for the city’s largest-ever Climate Action Week. The extreme weather, which scientists directly linked to human-caused climate change, created a stark backdrop for discussions on global cooperation and local resilience.

The heat dome affecting the continent brought unprecedented temperatures for late June. The United Kingdom recorded its hottest June day on record, with London reaching 36.1 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit). France experienced its hottest day in history, while Spain endured its worst June since 1950. Officials reported the heat has resulted in at least 212 deaths in Spain, mostly among older adults, with public health warnings issued across Europe. The intense conditions forced thousands of school closures, disrupted rail travel, and led to the cancellation of some conference events, including one panel on extreme heat that was called off because the venue lacked air conditioning.

A rapid scientific analysis concluded that such a heat wave would have been "virtually impossible" just 50 years ago,...