Europe Just Had One of Its Most Extreme Years on Record. What Happened?

Feature image: Annual temperature anomalies for 2025 compared to past records (1979–2025) and the 1991–2020 average, showing how regions ranked from coolest to warmest. It highlights warming trends over the past 30 years, with strong increases in Europe and the Arctic. Data: ERA5, C3S/ECMWF. Credit: World Meteorological Organization, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, European State of the Climate, 2025, Report. 

Last year, Europe broke records across the board – temperatures, sea heat, ice loss, wildfires. Temperatures near the Arctic Circle hit 30°C. More than 95% of the continent ran hotter than average. A three-week heatwave pushed temperatures past 30°C near the Arctic Circle. 86% of European seas experienced marine heatwaves. And Greenland lost 139 gigatonnes of ice – around 1.5 times the total volume stored in all the glaciers of the European Alps.

The European State of the Climate 2025 report was published by the World Meteorological Organisation and the European Centre for Medium-Rage Weather Forecasts. It documents what climate extremes in 2025 looked like across the continent – from the Mediterranean to the Arctic.

What the data shows

• At least 95% of Europe recorded above-average temperatures  

• A three-week Arctic heatwave saw temperatures exceed 30°C near the Arctic Circle  

• Sea surface temperatures reached the highest levels on record  

• 86% of European seas experienced marine heatwaves, with 36% at “severe” or “extreme” – the highest proportion on record

• Glaciers shrank across all regions; Greenland lost 139 billion tonnes of ice (~1.5 times the total volume of European Alps’ glaciers)

• Snow cover declined by 31%, among the lowest on record  

• Wildfires burned over 1 million hectares, the largest area recorded  

• 70% of rivers had below-average flows, reflecting widespread drought 

What’s driving this 

Rapid warming in the Arctic and Alpine systems is driven by Arctic amplification, where surface temperatures increase at approximately more than four times the global average. This phenomenon is underpinned by coupled feedback mechanisms, most notably the ice–albedo feedback, alongside changes in atmospheric heat transport, cloud cover, and ocean–atmosphere exchanges. A synthesis of these processes shows that declining sea ice and snow cover significantly enhance regional warming and further accelerate glacier mass loss. 

Emerging research shows that Arctic amplification can disrupt atmospheric circulation beyond the polar regions. As the temperature difference between the Arctic and lower latitudes decreases, the jet stream can weaken and become more unstable. This increases the likelihood of persistent high-pressure systems, or heat domes, which trap heat and lead to more frequent and longer-lasting hot and dry extremes. 

Polar change is closely connected to European climate impacts. Loss of sea ice and snow cover is not just a regional issue, it strengthens climate feedbacks that make extreme weather events more intense and more frequent. 

What this means for Europe

• Increased heat stress and mortality, notably in southern Europe  

• Water scarcity affecting agriculture, energy, and urban systems  

• Wildfire risks rising across southern and central Europe  

• Biodiversity loss in marine (e.g., Mediterranean) and terrestrial ecosystems  

• Coastal flooding risks due to sea-level rise from polar ice melt  

• Economic strain on food systems, infrastructure, and insurance sectors  

What you can do

• Talk to your local councillor or representative about heat adaptation – Ask them directly “Does my area have a heat action plan? How does it protect me?”

• Check whether your home, school, or workplace is ready for extreme heat – insulation, shading, access to cool spaces and regular breaks matter

• Reduce high-carbon choices where you have other options: flights when you can use a train, meat with every meal, fossil-fuel heating

What needs to change 

• Governments must accelerate climate adaptation strategies, with a focus on heat and water stress  

• Early warning systems for heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires need strengthening across Europe

• Nature-based solutions – restoring wetlands, forests, and coastal ecosystems – need investment and scale

• The renewable energy transition needs to move faster  

• Climate and health policies need to be integrated to protect vulnerable populations  

• Polar research and monitoring must be expanded to better predict global impacts 

What happens in the Arctic does not stay there.

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