This is a clear example of how climate change is intensifying heat extremes, with heat and drought increasingly reinforcing one another," she added. France, Spain, parts of Germany and the UK recorded exceptionally low rainfall and/or soil moisture, while soil moisture levels across much of western Europe were significantly lower than in 2022, when the region experienced severe drought.

River levels have been much lower than average - in some places exceptionally low -with the Seine, Rhine and Danube among those particularly affected. Low flows exacerbate pressure on water supplies and irrigation, aquatic ecosystems, river transport and energy production.

Image source, ReutersImage caption, Some rivers in Europe have recorded extremely low water levels, including the Danube The prolonged hot and dry conditions have created favourable conditions for wildfires, with massive wildfires raging across western Europe last month and "exceptional activity" in terms of the area burned and smoke and emissions generated." Climate change is increasingly bringing the kinds of hot and dry conditions that favour large, high-intensity wildfires in southern Europe while extended the fire season northwards," said Laurence Rouil, director of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.

Larger fires produce more smoke and inject it higher into the atmosphere, allowing it to travel much further, he said. That means countries that experience relatively few wildfires could be increasingly affected by smoke traveling long distances.

Extreme weather 'new normal' Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, European wildfires haven been called "completely unprecedented" this summerIn the UK, meanwhile, the prolonged dry spell is increasing pressure on already-stretched water supplies. England and Wales recorded their driest July since records began 190 years ago, according to the Met Office, while large parts of England and all of Wales have already been officially declared in drought.

The Environment Agency has warned that more areas of England could be declared in drought if dry conditions persist. Weather that was once considered extreme is becoming the "new normal", according to the latest Met Office report on the UK's climate.

5C warmer than it was between 1961 and 1990." Scientists say El Niño may temporarily push global temperatures even higher.

Its effects are being felt against a backdrop of man-made warming, particularly the burning of fossil fuels. 4C warmer on average than it was in the late 19th Century.

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