July wildfires in Europe fueled by one of the warmest July ever recorded and dry conditions (Copernicus)

July 2026 was the joint-second-warmest July ever recorded globally, (+1,47°C above the estimated 1850-1900 pre-industrial average for the month), tied with 2024. The month also saw the highest sea surface temperature (SST) ever recorded. The prolonged and dry conditions fueled wildfires in Western Europe, detailed Copernicus Climate Change service on 10 June 2026.

According to Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), "July 2026 was the third consecutive month of exceptional heat in western Europe, bringing the combined temperature for June and July to a new record for the region".

She added that "persistent high-pressure systems trapped heat over western Europe, the extreme temperatures also amplified widespread…