Southern and eastern Europe have endured a prolonged heatwave since early July, with temperatures forecast to remain high for at least another two weeks. The most intense heat was felt across the Balkan Peninsula and eastern Europe, where daily temperatures exceeded 40 °C (104 °F) in many areas. The Mediterranean Sea has also seen unprecedented warmth, with water temperatures reaching 30 °C (86 °F) in some areas.
The display of unusual noctilucent clouds (NLCs) continues to light up the European skies on July 13, 2024, with another large outbreak seen all over the continent, leading to some stunning visuals.
Powerful thunderstorms swept through the western Balkans, beginning in Slovenia on July 1, 2024, and moving eastward. The storms brought strong winds, large hail and heavy rains, causing widespread destruction across Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Two people lost their lives.
Violent storms hit Switzerland, France, Austria, and Italy on June 29 and 30, 2024, resulting in at least seven fatalities. The storms caused flash floods, landslides, and widespread infrastructure damage, particularly impacting Switzerland and northeastern France.
The unexpected display of noctilucent clouds all over Europe since June 23, 2024, has given rise to a couple of speculations as to why are these clouds forming during a solar maximum when high solar activity inhibits their formation.
On June 23, 2024, Europe experienced an unexpected outbreak of noctilucent clouds (NLCs) despite high solar activity, which typically inhibits NLC formation. Earth-orbiting satellites also detected the display, noting NLCs down to a latitude of 55° N over the British Isles.
Europe experienced one of the most rapid temperature flips on record in April 2024, shifting from widespread record-breaking summer-like warmth at the start of the month to late-April frost and cold temperature records. According to climatologist Maximiliano Herrera, Europe has never experienced a month with such extreme temperature contrasts.
Central Europe is facing a high risk of catastrophic morning frost over the next few days, as cold air threatens extensive damage to agriculture across the region. Meteorologists from Severe Weather Europe have issued warnings about potentially severe impacts on blooming fruit trees, vineyards, and crops following a swift transition from unusually warm conditions.
On Friday afternoon, March 8, 2024, Spanish police used rubber bullets and tear gas against farmers who protested in the province of Ávila, northeast of Madrid. This is just the latest in a series of violent clashes between farmers and police taking place across Europe over the past couple of months.
European farmers took the protest near the EU summit in Brussels today, blocking roads with 1 300 tractors and clashing with police. The protests started earlier this month, but demonstrations have now spread across Europe as farmers from Belgium, France, Italy, and Spain demand help with taxes and rising costs. EU leaders acknowledged the crisis, amid calls for action ahead of European Parliament elections.
