Extreme weather: floods, droughts and heatwaves

Extreme weather events pose an increased risk to nature, buildings, infrastructure, and human health. These events, expected to increase in frequency and intensity because of climate change, are already causing substantial damage and loss. We must adapt and prepare for life in a changing climate.

From France to Portugal, many countries across Europe had record temperatures in the summer of 2022. Overall, summer 2022 was Europe’s warmest ever recorded so far. A area larger than Luxembourg was burned in forest fires.

Over the past decades, Europe has been experiencing frequent and severe weather and climate-related natural hazards like droughts, forest fires, heatwaves, storms and heavy rain. Climate change will make these events even more intense and more frequent.

Extreme temperatures do not only impact the health of vulnerable groups but also cause sleep disturbance for everyone. Rivers and lakes are drying up, impacting all life dependent on them. Soils are also getting drier, increasing fire risks and reducing agricultural productivity.

Other parts of Europe are experiencing intense downpours, sometimes flooding buildings and damaging property and infrastructure within a matter of minutes. Coastal zones will be at risk of more frequent storm surges, also resulting in flooded buldings or agricultural lands. Wind speeds are reaching levels never seen Europe before, causing accidents and serious damages to property. Other parts are seeing severe cold spells.

These events are unfortunate reminders of the changing and volatile climate that Europe needs to adapt and prepare for, while taking action to drastically reduce carbon emissions in order to slow down and limit climate change.

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Extreme weather: what to expect?

Weather-related hazards facing the EU in the coming decades can be groupes as follow:

Hot and cold: Mean air temperature will rise steadily across Europe.
Wet and dry: Changes in rainfall are expected to differ considerably throughout Europe, with heavy rain in the North, more extremes in Central Europe, and a greater risk of drought in the South
Wind: Storm intensity is projected to increase across Europe, but changes in the frequency are projected to differ across regions. 
Snow and ice: Snowfall is projected to decrease in central and southern Europe, whereas mixed changes are anticipated for northern Europe.
Coastal regions: Sea levels will rise in all areas except the northern Baltic Sea.
Open ocean: Sea surface temperature is projected to increase in all European seas, with associated increases in marine heatwaves. Europe’s seas are also expected to become more acidic.

See our climate hazards report

Heatwaves: A matter of life and death for vulnerable people

Heatwaves and extreme cold spells have a massive effect on public health. Extreme heat is closely linked to higher death rates and hospital admissions and generally affects the well-being and productivity of workers.

The most significant effect of heat is on the elderly, but in some cities, younger adults have also been affected. Older people are more vulnerable to the impacts of heatwaves due to poorer physical health and understanding of health risks.

In addition to the elderly, those with chronic diseases and persons of lower socio-economic status also have a heightened risk of dying from heatwaves.

Extreme weather: floods, droughts and heatwaves

Extreme weather: what to expect?

Heatwaves: A matter of life and death for vulnerable people

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