Europe Warming Twice As Fast

New data shows record heatwaves from the Mediterranean to the Arctic last year, with glaciers shrinking and snow cover declining, according to the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

In a joint report with Copernicus Climate Change Service, the WMO spotlights key changes across Europe, which is the world’s fastest warming continent with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the global average.

Key results from the study show that at least 95 per cent of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures in 2025.

Records broken
There was also a record three-week heatwave affecting sub-Arctic peninsulas in Scandinavia, with temperatures near to and within the Arctic Circle exceeding 30°C.

Annual sea surface temperature for Europe was also the highest on record, with 86 per cent of the region experiencing “strong” marine heatwaves – or worse.

At the same time, wildfires burnt more than one million hectares, the largest area on record, while river flows were below average for 11 months of the year across Europe.