June heatwave ‘would have been impossible’ under climate of 1976

THE June heatwave gripping the UK and Europe would have been virtually impossible in 1976, with climate change fuelling extreme heat, analysis shows.

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A rapid assessment of the extremely hot and humid conditions over much of north, western and central Europe found it was the most severe heatwave ever recorded across the region.

The UK has seen temperatures break June records dating back to the infamous summer of 1976, while France has recorded its hottest day ever and temperatures have soared elsewhere in Europe, with widespread disruption and pressure on people’s health.

The analysis found both the daytime highs and overnight temperatures seen during the current heatwave would be virtually impossible at this time of year under the climate of 50 years ago.

A similar heatwave occurring in the climate of 1976 would be 3.5C cooler, the scientists from the World Weather Attribution group said.

The scientists also said the sweltering overnight temperatures keeping many people awake are about 100 times more likely today than they were just 23 years ago during the deadly 2003 European heatwave, and the daytime peaks are about 10 times more likely.