Europe has kicked off the new year with an unprecedented string of weather records shattered among a sweeping heatwave that has gripped the continent.
On New Year’s Day, at least eight European nations experienced their warmest January day ever recorded, according to climatologist Maximiliano Herrera, who meticulously tracks extreme temperatures worldwide.
Countries including Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Belarus, Lithuania, Denmark, and Latvia all saw temperatures soar to levels typically seen in the height of summer.
Describing it as “the most extreme heat wave in European history,” Herrera emphasized the extraordinary deviation from normal temperatures. Rather than being blanketed in snow, cities witnessed a surge in temperatures, particularly from December 31 to January 1.
For instance, Vaduz, Liechtenstein’s capital, peaked at 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit), while Javornik in the Czech Republic hit 19.6 degrees Celsius (67.3 Fahrenheit), and Jodłownik, Poland, recorded a high of 19 degrees Celsius (66.2 Fahrenheit).
Ukraine also joined in with its highest January temperatures outside of Crimea. Herrera noted that this heat event exceeds even the intensity of last summer’s scorching heatwaves across Europe, covering a vast swath from the continent’s eastern borders to northern Spain.
“This heatwave in Europe now rivals some of the most intense ever seen in North America,” Herrera remarked, attributing the phenomenon to a warm air mass originating from Africa’s west coast sweeping over Europe.
While meteorologists are cautious about directly linking this extreme heat to climate change so early in the year, experts like Rebecca Oakes from the UK Met Office underscored the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to global warming.
The unprecedented warmth has not only alarmed meteorologists but also unexpectedly alleviated Europe’s energy crisis. The surge in temperatures reduced demand for natural gas, thereby contributing to a serious drop in prices, easing the strain caused by Russia’s reduced gas supplies since its invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the temporary relief, meteorologists warn that such extreme weather serves as a stark reminder of the uncertain climate future facing Europe.
Herrera described the situation as uncharted territory, highlighting the vast number of records shattered within just days, surpassing historical benchmarks by margins.