The European summer of 2026 has so far been characterised by exceptional heat and widespread dryness (Copernicus, 2026). Between April and June, large parts of the continent, from Portugal in the southwest to southern Finland in the northeast, received below-average rainfall.
Combined with successive heatwaves, these conditions have intensified drought across Europe, contributing to widespread agricultural and hydrological impacts, unusually low river levels (NOS, 2026), and severe wildfires, particularly in Spain and France, where 116,000 and 42,000 hectares have already been burnt, respectively (EFFIS, 2026).
Although western Europe experienced a relatively wet start to the year, persistent precipitation deficits in eastern Europe carried over from 2025, resulting in different types and stages of drought developing across the continent. With forecasts indicating little relief in the near term, the summer of 2026 is emerging as one of Europe’s most significant heat and drought events in recent years…
Source: World Weather Attribution
World Weather Attribution
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