Changing weather patterns in Europe: Spring heatwave breaks old records

Why in the News ?

• The United Kingdom (UK) and many parts of Western and Central Europe are currently in the grip of a record-breaking spring heatwave. Scientists believe this is due to a weather system called the "Heat Dome," which has trapped extremely hot air over Europe.
• Experts believe that climate change is making these early heatwaves hotter, longer, and more frequent, increasing public health risks.

May Temperature Record Broken in Britain

• On May 26, 2026, the Kew Gardens area recorded a daytime temperature of 35.1°C, a new temporary record for May.
• The previous day, the temperature had reached 34.8°C, surpassing the previous record of 32.8°C, set in 1922.
• Apart from this, “Tropical Night” was also recorded in London, in which the night temperature does not fall below 20°C.

Abnormal heat in many European countries

• Several European countries are experiencing abnormal heat.
• Temperatures reached 36°C in southwestern France on May 25, while many areas experienced persistent tropical nights.
• Additionally, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Germany, and Italy are also experiencing abnormal heat.
• Temperatures in these regions have been recorded approximately 12°C–16°C above the normal climatic average.

What is a 'Heat Dome'?

• A heat dome is a weather condition in which a high-pressure system becomes stationary over an area for a long period of time, acting like a lid on the atmosphere, trapping warm air below.
• As a result, the sun's intense energy heats the surface, increasing air compression, and causing surface temperatures to rise rapidly.
• According to experts, the current heat dome has developed from North Africa and spread to Western and Central Europe, causing record-breaking heat in many countries.

Growing Health Risks

• Extreme heat is particularly severe for the elderly, children, those with pre-existing medical conditions, farmers and outdoor workers, and poor and vulnerable communities.
• Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, which can cause dehydration, dizziness, weakness, and extreme fatigue.
• Without timely treatment and care, this condition can worsen and lead to heat stroke, which can be fatal.

Why is the Heat Index important ?

• Experts say that not only temperature but also humidity increases the intensity of heat.
• This is why the Heat Index is used, which reflects the actual heat felt by the body based on the combined effect of temperature and humidity.

Scientists warn: Climate change is increasing the risk

• According to Garyfalos Konstantinoudis, early-season heatwaves are more dangerous because the human body doesn't have enough time to acclimatize to rising temperatures. He estimates that this heatwave could cause more than 250 additional deaths in England and Wales alone.

• Meanwhile, Friederike Otto stated that the 35°C temperature recorded in Britain during spring is extremely unusual and demonstrates the clear impact of climate change. She warned that if global greenhouse gas emissions are not rapidly reduced, temperature records will continue to be broken in the future, and such extreme weather events could become more common.

What's next ?

• Experts predict the heat dome could persist over Western and Central Europe for the remainder of May, potentially setting new temperature records, increasing health risks, and putting additional pressure on energy and water resources.
• This situation once again highlights that climate change is no longer a future challenge, but a present reality, with its effects being reflected in extreme weather events across various regions of the world.

Conclusion

• This record-breaking spring heatwave in the United Kingdom and Western Europe is not just a seasonal phenomenon, but a clear indicator of the increasing impacts of climate change.
• Extreme weather events like heat domes are becoming more intense, prolonged, and frequent, severely impacting human health, water resources, energy systems, and socio-economic activities. This situation demonstrates that greenhouse gas emission reductions, climate adaptation strategies, and disaster preparedness are urgently needed to mitigate such risks in the future.