Europe is battling a record‑breaking heat wave. What’s making it so severe?

Sweltering temperatures are breaking records across Europe amid a deadly heat wave. France experienced its hottest days in history, with western regions reaching 39°C to 43°C, while the United Kingdom recorded its warmest June day at 36.1°C. Spain, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland have also broken June temperature records at multiple locations.

Sweltering temperatures are shattering records across Europe as the continent battles a deadly heat wave. On Tuesday and Wednesday, France endured its hottest days in history, with western regions reaching highs between 39°C and 43°C (102°F and 109°F). Wednesday was the United Kingdom’s warmest June day on record, with the mercury climbing to 36.1°C (97°F). And according to early data, Spain, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland have all broken June temperature records at several sites. And the event is not over yet.