Last month, Europe experienced its hottest March ever recorded, with temperatures soaring significantly above the average. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the average air temperature across the continent was 2.41°C higher than the March average from 1991 to 2020. This spike in temperature has raised concerns about the potential for wildfires this summer.
The data revealed that while the average temperature is alarming, it smooths out extremes, meaning some areas experienced even higher temperatures. Eastern Europe and parts of southwest Russia were particularly affected, seeing significant heat increases. A heat map accompanying the report showed most of Europe shaded in dark orange and red, indicating severe temperature rises.
In the UK, the Met Office reported that England had its sunniest March since records began in 1920, with 185.8 hours of sunshine, surpassing the previous record by more than 14 hours. These hot and dry conditions have already led to multiple wildfires as vegetation has dried out.
However, rainfall patterns were not uniform across Europe. The month brought contrasting weather conditions. While the UK and Ireland experienced drier-than-average conditions, Spain and Portugal faced heavy storms that caused widespread flooding. These storms were beneficial in replenishing reservoirs that had suffered during last year’s drought.
Samantha Burgess from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts emphasized that this data highlights a worrying trend of record-breaking temperatures. United Nations scientists have stated that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are driving climate change, which leads to increased average temperatures and extreme weather events.
Rebecca Newsom from Greenpeace warned that the hot and dry weather could set the stage for intense wildfires this summer. She pointed out that the extremes in rainfall across Europe pose immediate challenges to food systems and the economy. Newsom called for new taxes on major oil companies to help communities deal with climate-related disasters.
As Europe faces the possibility of harsher heatwaves and wildfires in the coming months, the urgency for action against climate change becomes more pressing. The recent weather patterns serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by a warming planet.