西欧在今年6月至7月期间经历了有记录以来最炎热的两个月。根据欧洲气候机构Copernicus的数据，该地区这段时期的平均气温达到21.62°C，打破了2022年创造的此前纪录[1][2]。极端高温引发了大规模野火和持久干旱，导致多个欧洲国家创下新的温度纪录，预计造成数千人死亡[1]。
这场热浪的根源在于高压系统的持续影响。Copernicus的科学家Samantha Burgess指出，"持续高气压系统将热量困住西欧，极端温度加剧了广泛干旱。随着土壤干燥，失去自然降温能力，热量更容易积累"[1]。自5月以来，西欧已经经历了四次热浪[2]，土壤含水量明显低于2022年同期[2]。赛纳河、莱茵河和多瑙河等主要河流水位异常低[2]。
全球范围内，气候变暖的趋势同样显著。7月全球海洋平均表面温度创历史新高，达20.96°C，超过了2023年纪录的20.89°C[1][2]。同月全球平均气温为16.90°C，与2024年7月并列第二热[1]。至今年年中，全球排名为第三热年份，仅次于2024年和2025年[1][2]。Copernicus主任Carlo Buontempo预计，新的全球平均温度纪录将在今年晚些时候或2027年初被创造[2]。
Western Europe experienced its hottest June and July on record, with average temperatures reaching 21.62°C (70.92°F) during this period, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service [1][2]. This milestone surpasses the previous record set in June and July 2022, marking a significant escalation in the region's climate crisis [1][2].
The extreme heat has triggered widespread consequences across the continent. A persistent high-pressure system has trapped heat over Western Europe, intensifying droughts and depleting the land's natural cooling capacity [1]. Since May, the region has been battered by four successive heat waves [2], fueling large-scale wildfires and severe drought conditions [1]. Multiple European countries have recorded new temperature highs, and the heat-related mortality toll is projected to reach thousands [1]. Major rivers including the Seine, Rhine, and Danube have experienced unusually low water levels [2].
Global temperatures have also reached alarming levels. July's global ocean surface temperature averaged 20.96°C (69.73°F), surpassing the previous record of 20.89°C (69.60°F) set in July 2023 [1][2]. The global average air temperature for July stood at 16.90°C (62.42°F), tying July 2024 as the second hottest July on record [1] and representing a 1.47°C increase above pre-industrial levels (1850-1900) [2]. Year-to-date, 2026 ranks as the third hottest year on record, behind only 2024 and 2025 [1][2]. The past eleven years have all been among the warmest years in recorded history [2].
Scientists warn that with accelerating human-caused global warming compounded by a strong El Niño effect, 2026 could potentially become the hottest year ever recorded [1]. Copernicus director Carlo Buontempo has indicated that new global average temperature records are expected to be set later in 2026 or in early 2027 [2].