The annual soil moisture anomaly was the second lowest in the last 50 years with only isolated areas seeing wetter-than-average soil moisture conditions. The below-average precipitation, which continued throughout summer, together with the exceptional heatwaves, also caused a widespread and prolonged drought that affected several sectors, such as agriculture, river transport and energy. The lack of winter snow and the high summer temperatures resulted in record ice loss for Alpine glaciers, equivalent to more than 5 km3 of ice. Much of Europe experienced fewer snow days than average during the 2021-22 winter and, in spring, precipitation was below average across much of the continent, with May seeing the lowest precipitation on record for the month. One of the most significant events to affect Europe in 2022 was the widespread drought. (Right) September 2022 temperature anomalies, relative to the average. Annual September surface air temperature anomalies over the Greenland ice sheet for 1991 to 2022, relative to the average for the 1991-2020 reference period. Average temperatures for the month were the highest on record, at up to 8☌ higher than average, and the island experienced three different heatwaves causing record ice sheet melt, with at least 23% of the ice sheet impacted at the peak of the first heatwave. One of the Arctic regions most affected in 2022 was Svalbard, which experienced its warmest summer on record, with some areas seeing temperatures exceeding 2.5☌ above average.ĭuring 2022, Greenland also experienced extreme climate conditions, including exceptional heat and rainfall in September, a time of year when snow is more typical. In the Arctic region too, temperatures have risen much more rapidly than over most of the rest of the globe, and 2022 was the sixth warmest year on record for the Arctic as a whole, and fourth warmest for Arctic land areas. Understanding the climate dynamics in Europe is crucial for our efforts to adapt and mitigate the negative impacts climate changes has on the continent,” said C3S Director Carlo Buontempo.Įurope’s increasing temperatures are part of an upward trend that has been affecting the world in recent decades. “The report highlights alarming changes to our climate, including the hottest summer ever recorded in Europe, marked by unprecedented marine heatwaves in the Mediterranean Sea and record-breaking temperatures in Greenland. There is also a decreasing trend in the number of days with ‘no heat stress’. In general, Europe is seeing an upward trend in the number of summer days with ‘strong’ or ‘very strong heat stress’, and in southern Europe the same is seen for ‘extreme heat stress’. Extremes in heat during the late spring and summer resulted in hazardous conditions for human health. Credit: C3S/ECMWF.Īlong with the high temperatures, Europe experienced several extreme events last summer, including intense heatwaves, drought conditions and extensive wildfires. Average surface air temperature anomalies for each month of 2022, relative to the respective monthly average for the 1991–2020 reference period. Last summer was the hottest on record for Europe, at 1.4☌ above the average. The C3S data show that the average temperature for Europe for the latest 5-year period was around 2.2☌ above the pre-industrial era (1850-1900) and 2022 was the second warmest year on record, at 0.9☌ above the 1991-2020 average.
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