Brussels: May 2026 was the second-warmest May globally since records began, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
According to Emirates News Agency, data compiled by the service showed that Europe experienced a rapid shift from below-average temperatures to one of the most intense early-season heatwaves ever recorded in western parts of the continent. The heatwave led to numerous temperature records being broken in May, with France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Portugal among the countries most affected.
Copernicus highlighted that the event was consistent with Europe's long-term warming trend, characterized by more frequent, more intense, and earlier heat extremes. At the same time, Europe experienced sharp contrasts in precipitation. Much of western, central, and eastern Europe, including Spain and Italy, recorded drier-than-average conditions, while parts of Trkiye, Bulgaria, and Moldova were affected by severe flooding.
Globally, May 2026 continued a trend of near-record temperatures in both the atmosphere and oceans, according to Samantha Burgess of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, which operates the Copernicus service.