European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
Coverage of European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts in the Nexus archive.
- France prepares for another heat wave as western Europe sets new temperature record
France is facing its fifth heat wave alert of the season as western Europe recorded new temperature records for the June-July period. The extreme heat across Europe has contributed to major wildfires, prolonged drought, and increasing death rates. Scientists warn that accelerated human-caused global warming combined with El Niño conditions may lead to 2026 becoming the hottest year on record.
- France prepares for another heat wave as western Europe sets new temperature record
France is bracing for its fifth heat wave alert of the season and warning about temperatures near 40 C in southeastern France. Across Western Europe, extreme heat has resulted in record-setting conditions, intensifying drought and wildfires. Scientists suggest that accelerated human-caused global warming combined with El Niño increases the chance that 2026 could become a record-breaking hot year.
- Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region
Heat waves across Western Europe caused it to set a new average temperature record for the June-July period. Globally, climate statistics show this is the third-hottest year so far, with scientists suggesting that 2026 could become the hottest on record due to accelerated warming and El Niño conditions. In Western Europe, persistent high-pressure systems trapped heat, intensifying drought and contributing to extreme temperatures.
- Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region
Western Europe set a new average temperature record for the June-July period due to persistent high-pressure systems and extreme heat, which also amplified widespread drought. Globally, warming is attributed partly to accelerated human-caused global warming and El Niño conditions. Scientists stated that these factors increase the chance of 2026 becoming one of the hottest years on record.
- Unprecedented ‘fire clouds’ are fanning the flames in France
Unprecedented pyrocumulonimbus clouds, or 'fire clouds,' have been observed in France for the first time, intensifying wildfires in the Gironde region. These clouds, which generate lightning and embers to spread fires, have caused massive evacuations near Bordeaux and are expected to become more frequent in Europe due to rising wildfire intensity.
- Strengthening El Nino likely to 'rank among largest' on record: US agency
The El Nino weather pattern is strengthening and likely to rank among the largest on record when it peaks between October and December, according to the US Climate Prediction Centre. With an 81% chance of being 'very strong' (2.0°C above an index) and 97% chance of persisting through early 2027, El Nino is expected to drive global temperature rises and disrupt weather patterns worldwide.
- This year's El Nino likely to become record-breaker: top expert
This year's El Niño is forecasted to become a record-breaking event due to its extreme strength, according to Tim Stockdale of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The phenomenon is expected to cause droughts, floods, and other climate extremes globally, with impacts including suppressed monsoons in South Asia, drier conditions in parts of Africa and Brazil, and increased rainfall in the Horn of Africa and western South America.
- Heatwave grips Eastern Europe after Germany weather breaks records
A deadly heatwave that broke temperature records in western Europe has shifted east to scorch Hungary, Romania, and the Balkans. Budapest is expected to exceed 40°C (104F), with Belgrade and Bucharest reaching 38°C and 37°C, respectively. Red extreme heat warnings are in effect for Poland, Hungary, and Romania.
- AI weather models changing the hurricane forecast game
AI weather models outperformed traditional physics-based models in the 2025 hurricane season, with Google’s DeepMind excelling in intensity forecasts. Unlike high-resolution models requiring supercomputers, AI forecasts use historical data and atmospheric snapshots to generate rapid predictions on standard hardware.
- Mexico, Italy and others see up to two more months of heat stress than in the 1970s, study says
Mexico, Italy, Kenya, and other regions now experience one to two additional months of heat stress compared to the 1970s, according to a study in Nature Climate Change. The research attributes this increase to climate change driven by fossil fuel emissions, with heat stress measured using factors like temperature, humidity, and wind speed. Some areas, including Southern Africa and parts of the U.S., face up to 50 more days annually of strong heat stress.
- Mexico, Italy and others see up to two more months of heat stress than in the 1970s, study says
Mexico, Italy, Kenya, and other regions are experiencing up to two additional months of heat stress compared to the 1970s, according to a study in Nature Climate Change. The research attributes this increase to climate change from fossil fuel use, with heat stress days worsening due to higher temperatures and humidity.
- AI weather startup outperforms official forecasts
WindBorne Systems, an AI weather forecasting startup, outperformed government-run systems with five-day forecasts as accurate as one-day physics models. AI is increasingly reshaping weather forecasting, with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts adopting AI after a 2024 Google DeepMind model victory. Private forecasts are gaining relevance amid U.S. National Weather Service funding cuts and rising demand for energy projections linked to renewable energy.