Domestic
EU climate service reports hottest summer in Western Europe
June and July 2023 were the hottest months in Western Europe since temperature records began, according to the EU climate monitoring program "Copernicus."
According to the EU climate monitoring program "Copernicus," the average temperature in Western Europe in June and July 2023 was 21.62 degrees Celsius. This represents an increase of 2.79 degrees above the baseline figure and marks the hottest summer since temperature records started.
Additionally, "Copernicus" reported that soil moisture this year is significantly lower than in July 2022, when Western Europe experienced an extreme drought. These weather conditions are leading to alarming developments, particularly concerning the water levels of the Rhine, according to various sources.
The ongoing low water levels on the Rhine, Germany's most important waterway, increase the risk of a potential shipping halt. Thus, the extreme weather conditions in Western Europe are affecting not only the environment but also the economy and transportation.