15 April 2025
A new published today (Tuesday, 15 April) finds that Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world. The report also found a ‘striking east-west contrast in climate conditions, with extremely dry and warm conditions in the east compared to warm but wet conditions in the west’.
Professor Richard Allan, Professor of Climate Science at the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø, said: “The stark contrast between wet conditions in western Europe and dry in the east during 2024 is a product of our ever-fluctuating weather patterns, but our warming climate is intensifying these water cycle extremes.
“A thirstier atmosphere is more able to steal moisture from one region and deluge this water across others, leading to greater contrasts and wilder swings between wet and dry conditions, including worsening flooding and drought conditions. A more violently variable hydrological cycle is making it more challenging to manage vital water resources and to prepare for and adapt to the multiple weather extremes attacking our shores with greater regularity.
“Every effort to limit warming through rapidly cutting greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors is paramount in tempering the growing severity of weather extremes affecting Europe and the wider world.”
Commenting on a finding in the report that tropical nights are becoming increasingly frequent in Europe, Professor Hannah Cloke said: "These findings of a huge increase in tropical nights represent the reality of sweltering nights where sheets stick to skin and open windows offer no relief. In places like southern Greece and Italy, where tropical nights have increased by up to 55 days, tourists and locals alike are experiencing a fundamentally inhospitable type of summer environment.
"Sleep disruption from these tropical nights causes far more than just fatigue. It impairs cognitive function, weakens immune systems, and exacerbates cardiovascular stress – particularly dangerous for the elderly, babies, and people with underlying health problems.
"Europe is warming faster than any other continent, and heat waves are getting hotter, they are lasting for longer, and becoming more common. The impact is not just to make our Mediterranean summer holidays dangerous hot. The economic consequences are profound. Europe's agricultural heartlands face withering crops and depleted soil moisture. Wine regions are harvesting weeks earlier, altering centuries-old traditions. Tourism patterns are shifting as peak summer becomes unbearable in southern destinations.
"We are witnessing a climate transformation that demands urgent adaptation - from redesigning cities to protect vulnerable populations to rethinking energy and agricultural systems.
"These aren't future scenarios. They show today's reality reflected in every sleepless, sweat-soaked night across Europe."
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