
30/07/2025
Why do heatwaves matter?
Heatwaves are prolonged periods of excessively hot weather, often accompanied by high humidity, that significantly impact human health, ecosystems and infrastructure.
In Europe, they have become more frequent, hotter and long-lasting since 2000.
Southern Europe is the most affected area, which in 2024 saw the longest heatwave on record.
Despite this critical challenge becoming increasingly worse, the current policy readiness is only at medium level.
Find out more on our interactive charts and maps. Learn what happened in the past, what’s projected for the future and see examples of how the continent is preparing: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0m3r-R0