The world’s seas recorded their highest July temperatures on record in 2026, according to Copernicus, while Western Europe witnessed its hottest June-July period. Severe heatwaves, drought and wildfires affected several countries, damaging crops, disrupting water supplies and power generation. Scientists linked the extreme conditions to climate change and persistent weather patterns.
The world’s seas recorded their highest temperatures for any July last month, with record sea surface temperatures along the Atlantic coast and in the western Mediterranean, scientists have said.
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, severe marine heatwaves affected European waters, while the global average sea surface temperature outside the polar regions surpassed the previous July record set in 2023.
Surface air temperatures globally in July 2026 were only 0.01C cooler than in July 2024. Scientists therefore consider the two months the joint-second warmest Julys on record.
Western Europe Records Hottest June-July
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