A new report has revealed that severe weather events across Europe in 2024 caused widespread damage, impacting hundreds of thousands of people and resulting in billions in financial losses.
According to the European State of the Climate Report, jointly published by the World Meteorological Organization and the EU Copernicus Climate Change Service, extreme weather last year claimed 335 lives and affected over 413,000 people through storms and floods. Another 42,000 individuals were impacted by wildfires.
The financial toll was significant, with economic losses exceeding €18 billion.
The variation across the continent was striking: eastern Europe saw warmer and sunnier conditions, while the west faced more cloud cover and severe flooding. In fact, nearly one-third of Europe's rivers surpassed flood thresholds, making it the most extensive flood event since 2013.
Wildfires are also intensifying. Last September, Portugal lost around 110,000 hectares to wildfires in just one week—roughly a quarter of Europe’s total annual burnt area, all within seven days.
The number of days classified under strong, very strong, or extreme heat stress was the second highest on record, affecting 60% of the continent with prolonged dangerous temperatures.
Cold stress days, which reflect freezing temperatures, dropped to their lowest level ever, underscoring the shrinking number of truly cold days in Europe.
Globally, 2024 was also the hottest year on record, becoming the first to surpass the 1.5°C warming threshold over a full year.
“2024 was the warmest year on record for Europe,” he said. “We saw record glacier loss in the north, the longest heatwave in the southeast, and dramatic contrasts across the continent. The European State of the Climate report is a valuable resource—we must learn how to use this data wisely to guide our decisions.”
With Europe warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, largely due to its Arctic territories and frequent heatwaves, the last decade has become the warmest in recorded history.
According to the European State of the Climate Report, jointly published by the World Meteorological Organization and the EU Copernicus Climate Change Service, extreme weather last year claimed 335 lives and affected over 413,000 people through storms and floods. Another 42,000 individuals were impacted by wildfires.
The financial toll was significant, with economic losses exceeding €18 billion.
2024: A Year of Record Heat and Contrasts
The data confirms that 2024 was Europe’s hottest year on record, with alarming spikes in heat stress days and tropical nights. Southeastern Europe experienced its longest heatwave ever recorded, while western regions endured exceptional rainfall, marking one of the wettest years in a decade.The variation across the continent was striking: eastern Europe saw warmer and sunnier conditions, while the west faced more cloud cover and severe flooding. In fact, nearly one-third of Europe's rivers surpassed flood thresholds, making it the most extensive flood event since 2013.
Heat-Related Risks Rising Fast
Climate experts warn that continued warming will bring deadly consequences. A rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels could result in as many as 30,000 heat-related deaths annually in Europe, with southeastern areas projected to bear the brunt.Wildfires are also intensifying. Last September, Portugal lost around 110,000 hectares to wildfires in just one week—roughly a quarter of Europe’s total annual burnt area, all within seven days.
The number of days classified under strong, very strong, or extreme heat stress was the second highest on record, affecting 60% of the continent with prolonged dangerous temperatures.
Melting Glaciers and Warming Seas
The report also highlighted record mass loss in glaciers across Scandinavia and Svalbard, which suffered the highest rate of ice loss globally. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean Sea recorded temperatures 1.2°C above its long-term average, and European lakes also had their warmest year to date.Cold stress days, which reflect freezing temperatures, dropped to their lowest level ever, underscoring the shrinking number of truly cold days in Europe.
Renewables Rise Amid Climate Crisis
In a small positive note, renewable energy reached a milestone in 2024, generating 45% of Europe’s electricity—the highest proportion recorded so far.Globally, 2024 was also the hottest year on record, becoming the first to surpass the 1.5°C warming threshold over a full year.
Urgent Call to Action
Dr. Carlo Buontempo, Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, said the findings demonstrate the urgent need for climate awareness and action.“2024 was the warmest year on record for Europe,” he said. “We saw record glacier loss in the north, the longest heatwave in the southeast, and dramatic contrasts across the continent. The European State of the Climate report is a valuable resource—we must learn how to use this data wisely to guide our decisions.”
With Europe warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, largely due to its Arctic territories and frequent heatwaves, the last decade has become the warmest in recorded history.
