Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record last month, according to scientists. A prolonged heat wave shattered records in France, Britain, Spain, and other countries.

Average temperatures in June across Western Europe were 3.05 degrees Celsius, or 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit, higher than normal levels from recent decades. This data comes from Copernicus, the climate monitoring service of the European Union. The previous hottest June in the region was the year before.

Globally, last June was the second warmest on record. Compared to the start of the industrial era, the Earth’s temperature was 1.39 degrees Celsius, or 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit, higher. This increase is linked to extensive human activities like burning oil, gas, and coal.

Together, these records reflect a climate system continuing to accumulate heat, said Samantha Burgess, a climate scientist with Copernicus. The result is increasingly intense heat waves, persistently warm ocean temperatures, and growing risks for people, ecosystems, and infrastructure across Europe and beyond.

Western Europe’s intense heat last month followed an earlier heat wave in May. Temperatures subsided briefly before soaring again in the region.

June saw significant temperature records in England, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. France recorded its hottest day in history for any month not once, but three consecutive days.

While the atmospheric patterns causing prolonged heat are not new, they now occur amidst rising global temperatures. This increase is caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, making record-breaking heat waves more likely.

Studies indicate that climate change has greatly increased the chances of such high temperatures in June across much of Europe. Even compared to the 2003 heat wave, which resulted in over 70,000 excess deaths in Europe, the likelihood of such events has risen.

In France, authorities reported 1,000 excess deaths during three of the hottest days in June. Those 65 and older accounted for 85% of these deaths. However, excess mortality was noted across all age groups.

Current estimates suggest that heat-related deaths in France last month may have exceeded 2,700.

Raymond Zhong reports on climate and environmental issues for The Times.