Extreme weather concerns: An excess of moisture combined with dry spells persist
In the year 2024, Europe witnessed a significant rise in average temperatures, with the continent warming faster than any other on the globe. According to the European Climate Status Report 2024, jointly published by the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the average temperature in Europe was 2.92 degrees above the pre-industrial level (1850-1900), while globally, it was 1.55 degrees above.
The report attributes Europe's rapid warming to several factors, including the high proportion of Arctic land areas, changes in atmospheric circulation, and the decline in the emission of aerosols. Stefan Rahmstorf of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research emphasises the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels to mitigate this trend.
One of the most concerning impacts of Europe's warming climate is the increase in heat stress days and tropical nights. In 2024, Europe and the world experienced the highest average temperature on record, leading to severe heatwaves across Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. Germany, for instance, experienced its warmest year on record, according to the German Weather Service (DWD).
Extreme rainfall and floods were also a prominent feature in 2024. Spain experienced floods as severe as those seen in 2013, resulting in over 200 deaths. At least 335 people died and 413,000 were affected by severe storms and floods in 2024. In September, Storm Boris brought heavy rain and floods to parts of Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary, and neighbouring countries.
The warming climate also resulted in a pronounced east-west gradient. Western Europe experienced one of the ten wettest years since 1950, with rivers carrying more water than the long-term average. In contrast, rivers in Eastern Europe carried significantly less water due to extreme drought in 2024.
The report encourages resisting short-sighted interests of the fossil lobby and implementing European climate goals without delay. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo stresses that every additional fraction of a degree of temperature increase is significant. Saulo also emphasises that the increase in temperature increases the risks to lives, the economy, and the planet.
The Southeastern region experienced the longest heatwave, with a record 23 tropical nights. This prolonged heatwave is a concerning indication of the growing impact of climate change on Europe. As Europe continues to warm at a rate more than twice the global average, it is crucial to take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
- The European Climate Status Report 2024 suggests that policies addressing economic and social issues, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, are essential for mitigating the trend of rapid warming in Europe.
- In the realm of environmental science, the increasing number of heat stress days and tropical nights in Europe, coupled with extreme rainfall and floods, is a clear indicator of the impact of climate-change on the continent.
- As the general news headlines reflect, the escalating climate crisis demands immediate attention and policy-and-legislation changes in Europe, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the growing risks to lives, the economy, and the environment.
