Just over half of Europe experienced “very strong” levels of heat stress at times this summer, exposing people in a record-high share of the continent to the health risks of extreme heat, the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said on Friday.
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- The 52% of the continent exposed to very strong heat stress this summer was the highest on record, C3S said
- Heat stress occurs when high temperatures and humidity mean the body cannot cool itself through sweating
- Symptoms include increased heart rate, nausea, dizziness and heat stroke — a potentially life-threatening condition
- Copernicus defines “very strong” heat stress as conditions that feel like a temperature of at least 38 degrees Celsius (100 F)
- Western Europe experienced its hottest summer since records began, recording “very strong” heat stress on 13 days
- Extreme heat poses particular health risks to outdoor workers, the elderly, and people with conditions like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes
- Europe’s rivers recorded their lowest flows this summer in more than three decades, C3S said
- Human-caused climate change has made Europe the world’s fastest-warming continent, according to the World Meteorological Organization
Reference Link:- https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/cop/half-europe-faced-very-strong-heat-stress-this-summer-eu-scientists-say-2026-10-02/