The highest temperature ever recorded in Europe

The highest temperature ever recorded in Europe

The World Meteorological Organization confirmed a temperature of 48.8 °C (119.8 °F) in Syracuse, Sicily, on August 11, 2021, as the highest ever recorded in Europe, surpassing the previous record set in 1977.

Widespread damage and at least 23 fatalities, 12 missing in Eastern Europe after rapid intensification of Storm Bettina

Widespread damage and at least 23 fatalities, 12 missing in Eastern Europe after rapid intensification of Storm Bettina

Eastern Europe is still grappling with the aftermath of Storm Bettina, a severe snowstorm that rapidly intensified over the Black Sea and impacted the region on November 26 and 27, 2023. Ukraine has reported significant casualties, with at least five deaths and 19 injuries in the Odesa region. The storm has not only disrupted life in Ukraine but also inflicted damage and caused fatalities in neighboring countries such as Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Russia.

Europe braces for intense Arctic outbreak and heavy snowfall across multiple regions

Europe braces for intense Arctic outbreak and heavy snowfall across multiple regions

Europe is bracing for a major weather shift this weekend, as an intense Arctic cold outbreak targets eastern, central, and southeastern regions. The season’s most severe winter storm is set to hit the Balkan peninsula, potentially dumping up to 50 cm (20 inches) of snow across areas from Romania to Ukraine. This significant event is forecasted to extend into the end of November, contrasting sharply with the mild weather experienced in recent weeks.

Europe experienced record number of hailstorms in 2022 for the second year in row

Europe experienced record number of hailstorms in 2022 for the second year in row

2022 saw a record-breaking number of hailstorms in Europe with 8 224 large hail reports. That is 2 791 large hail reports more than in 2021, which was already a record-breaking year. France had the most reports with 2 461 and was also the country with the largest economic impact of 4.8 billion €.

Widespread floods across Europe

Widespread floods across Europe

Days of heavy rainfall across Europe have led to severe flooding in parts of Hungary, Serbia, Spain and Kosovo. Footage from these locations showed streets and fields totally submerged.

More than 1 000 heat-related deaths reported in Spain and Portugal

More than 1 000 heat-related deaths reported in Spain and Portugal

The second heatwave to hit Europe since mid-June 2022 has claimed more than 1 000 lives over the past 8 days, with most of them in Portugal. Numerous high temperature records have been broken and more are expected to fall over the next few days. This is the second heatwave to hit Europe since mid-June.

Large temperature contrast during record-breaking June heatwave fuels severe thunderstorms, Europe

Large temperature contrast during record-breaking June heatwave fuels severe thunderstorms, Europe

Large swaths of Europe experienced an early-season heatwave over the weekend, with temperatures more than 40 to 43 °C (104 – 110 °F) and numerous daily, monthly and all-time records broken. As those records were falling, a sharp temperature contrast first observed in the UK and NW Germany, fueled severe thunderstorms which are forecast to impact an area from France to Serbia on June 20 and 21.