The world experienced its second hottest May on record, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, as Europe faced an unusually early and intense heatwave that researchers say reflects a growing pattern of extreme weather.
The report highlighted that Western Europe saw a rapid transition from cooler-than-average conditions to one of the most significant early-season heatwaves in recent years. Several countries, including Britain, France, Ireland, and Portugal, recorded new temperature highs during the month.
Copernicus noted that a warm air mass originating from North Africa contributed to the sharp rise in temperatures across the region, pushing conditions significantly above seasonal norms.
The climate observatory warned that such fluctuations and record-breaking temperature events are increasingly becoming the “new normal” across Europe, underscoring the accelerating impact of climate change.
The findings are part of Copernicus’ monthly climate monitoring report, which tracks global temperature trends and extreme weather patterns.
