Successive heatwaves across Europe have led to 35,000 additional deaths being recorded.
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Data collected across most of the continent show that in Germany, Spain and France, the three largest countries, the number of additional deaths exceeded 25,000. Experts warn that the toll is expected to rise significantly once the data for August have been processed and consolidated.
Since May, Western Europe has faced several successive heatwaves, breaking historical temperature records at hundreds of weather stations. France recorded its highest-ever average daily national temperature.
At the end of June, temperature records in Germany were broken for three consecutive days, while 46 weather stations recorded readings above 40°C. At the same time, Spain faced an extended period of temperatures exceeding 42°C.
According to scientists, human-induced global warming is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme events. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had also previously warned of the approaching Super El Niño.
“It is growing to gigantic proportions. The science leaves no room for doubt: the planet is entering uncharted territory. Temperatures continue to rise, and the world is in the danger zone because of extreme weather conditions,” Guterres said.
The World Meteorological Organization explains that this cyclical climate phenomenon begins with the warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, near the coast of South America, and then affects the climate across most of the globe in various ways.
According to the WMO, the phenomenon is forecast to be very intense, with a probability of nearly 100 percent that it will last until February.
