El Niño transition drives Pacific warming, triggering global weather extremes
El Niño transition bringing exceptional Pacific warming, triggering droughts and flooding across the region.
Event / Science
European Heat Wave May 2026
Copernicus climate observatory reports May 2026 as second-hottest May on record across Europe, with global average temperature at 15.81°C, 1.42°C above pre-industrial levels. El Niño conditions expected to cause drought in Indonesia and severe flooding in Peru.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 10 Jun, 09:06 UTC
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What happened
Extreme heat in May 2026 created particularly difficult conditions in France, UK, Ireland, and Portugal
May 2026 generated particularly difficult conditions in France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Portugal due to extreme heat waves, establishing new monthly records on the continent.
Europe experiencing rapid warming trend with heat waves becoming more frequent and earlier
Europe is undergoing rapid warming characterized by a long-term trend of heat waves that are increasing in frequency, intensity, and occurring earlier in the season than historically normal patterns.
El Niño conditions expected to cause droughts in Indonesia and severe flooding in Peru
El Niño conditions developing in 2026 are forecast to create droughts in Indonesia and heavy rainfall and flooding in Peru. The previous El Niño episode occurred in 2023-2024.
Tropical Pacific waters show exceptionally high temperatures as El Niño transition begins
The equatorial Pacific region is transitioning toward El Niño conditions with exceptionally elevated water temperatures in the tropical Pacific. El Niño was expected to develop between June and August 2026 with 80 percent probability according to the World Meteorological Organization.
May 2026 ranks second hottest May on record in Europe after May 2024
Copernicus climate observatory reported that May 2026 established numerous new monthly temperature records across Europe, ranking as the second hottest May on record after May 2024. The month was characterized by an unusually early and intense heat wave.
Global average temperature in May 2026 reached 15.81°C, 1.42°C above pre-industrial levels
Combined land and ocean temperatures averaged 15.81°C in May 2026, representing 1.42°C above pre-industrial baseline values (1850-1900), continuing the long-term warming trend driven by fossil fuel combustion.
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2 alternative perspectives
Europe records second hottest May as heat waves intensify
Europe's second hottest May on record reflects intensifying heat wave frequency and earlier seasonal timing.