Overview

• Europe officially has a new record temperature – 119.8°F – reached on Aug. 11, 2021 in Sicily, Italy, as confirmed by the World Meteorological Organization.
• The previous record temperature for the continent was 118.4°F, recorded in Athens and Elefsina, Greece, on July 10, 1977.
• The record-breaking temperature was verified by an international panel of atmospheric scientists, following a lengthy investigation.
• Europe is warming around twice as quickly as the world average, with human-caused emissions being a significant factor.
• The World Meteorological Organization warns that it is likely that greater extremes will occur across Europe in the future.