Annual European surface air temperature anomalies, 1950-2021, relative to the 1991–2020 reference period. Data source: ERA5 and EOBS. In 2021, summer temperatures were about 1 degree Celsius above the average over the past three decades, with Italy even recording temperatures of 48.8C – a provisional record for the whole of Europe. Graphic: C3S / ECMWF / KNMI
Annual European surface air temperature anomalies, 1950-2021, relative to the 1991–2020 reference period. Data source: ERA5 and EOBS. Graphic: C3S / ECMWF / KNMI

By Gloria Dickie and Kate Abnett
22 April 2022

(Reuters) – Europeans endured the hottest summer on record last year, with wildfires, floods and intense heatwaves hitting the continent, according to a report by EU scientists released Friday.

Summer temperatures were about 1 degree Celsius above the average over the past three decades, with Italy even recording temperatures of 48.8C – a provisional record for the whole of Europe.

Annual wind speed anomalies in Europe in 2021. In 2021, parts of northwestern and central Europe experienced unusually low annual average wind speeds. Some countries saw their lowest annual wind speed since 1979. Lower wind speeds led to reduced wind power generation in parts of Europe. Video: C3S / ECMWF / KNMI

A particularly bad heatwave in the Mediterranean helped to ignite severe wildfires which burned more than 800,000 hectares in countries including Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Meanwhile, record rainfall led to devastating floods across Belgium and western Germany that killed more than 200 people.

The report, published yearly by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), draws on satellite observations, on-site measurements, and computer models to provide an update on the state of the continent’s climate.

“We are facing a lot of challenges,” said Mauro Facchini, head of the Copernicus Unit at the EU.

European surface air temperature anomalies for summer (JJA) 1950–2021, relative to the average for the 1991–2020 reference period. In 2021, summer temperatures were about 1 degree Celsius above the average over the past three decades, with Italy even recording temperatures of 48.8C – a provisional record for the whole of Europe. Data source: ERA5, E-OBS. Credit: C3S / ECMWF / KNMI
European surface air temperature anomalies for summer (JJA) 1950–2021, relative to the average for the 1991–2020 reference period. In 2021, summer temperatures were about 1 degree Celsius above the average over the past three decades, with Italy even recording temperatures of 48.8C – a provisional record for the whole of Europe. Data source: ERA5, E-OBS. Credit: C3S / ECMWF / KNMI

He said the record 2021 temperatures and extreme weather outlined an urgent need for countries to slash their greenhouse gas emissions to avoid further heating that would unleash more destructive weather events.

Globally, the last seven years have been the warmest on record. Last year, however, was slightly cooler compared to recent years as temperatures were tempered by a La Nina weather pattern which cools sea temperatures in the north of the globe.

Though countries pledged under the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre industrial levels, most have failed to make sufficient progress and last year global CO2 emissions rebounded strongly following a temporary COVID-19 pandemic-induced dip.

On 21 April 2022, the Copernicus Climate Change Service released its annual European State of the Climate report, examining climate variability of 2021 in Europe and globally. The report also provides the longer-term context and trends in key climate change indicators. Discover the key findings, presented by: Mauro Facchini, Head of Earth Observation Unit, DG DEFIS; Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), ECMWF; Freja Vamborg, Senior Scientist, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), ECMWF; Vincent-Henri Peuch, Director of Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), ECMWF. Video: Copernicus ECMWF

Countries are already experiencing the consequences of inaction.

Climate scientists last year found that the disastrous flooding in western Europe last summer was made at least 20% more likely by climate change – reflecting a long-known principle that for every degree the atmosphere heats up, it can hold 7% more moisture, hiking the chance of heavy rain.

“This is one of the most visible and pronounced changes that we are seeing with global warming,” Wim Thiery, a climate scientist at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, told Reuters. [more]

Europe suffered year of climate chaos in 2021, EU report says