What the extreme weather is like in each in Europe this summer - Lonely Planet (2024)

Our writers all over Europe report on how visitors can cope with heat waves, torrential rain and other conditions in a summer of weird weather.

There’s no doubt that this is a summer of extreme weather conditions, from high temperatures to excessive rain and winds, all over the world.

And no place in the world is feeling this more right now than Europe, where over 600 million people are expected to spend part of their summer vacations. But what is it really like in the most-visited countries? What can you expect if you are heading to Europe in August?

We asked colleagues living in countries including Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, UK, Turkey, Croatia and Finland to tell us how the weather has been this summer so far, what advice they would offer to someone coming in August and what the weather outlook seems like for the remainder of the season.

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What the extreme weather is like in each in Europe this summer - Lonely Planet (1)

Rome feels hotter than the surface of the Sun

Virginia Digaetano lives in Rome, she is currently working on the next Lonely Planet Slovenia guidebook

I live in the center of Rome – and the weather in July in Italy has been, to put it scientifically, cuckoo bananas. I think it was hotter here than on the actual surface of the Sun. It was so hot that most days we didn’t have any other option than to close our shutters and hunker down from about 11am to 6pm.

The weather was anywhere from 34°C (93°F) up to 42°C (107°F) at the hottest – and it felt even hotter. It was definitely one of the hottest summers I’ve experienced in a decade living in Italy. We could go out in the early morning and evening, but it definitely wasn’t wise to be out in the middle of the day. We fortunately have an air conditioner that we used at night, yet were afraid of using during the day because of the risk of blackouts (which luckily didn’t happen). Everyone that I know who lives here changed their schedules when they could to cope with the heat.

The weather was the only thing anyone talked about. And then we talked about…how much people were talking about the weather.

It has cooled off considerably, though it’s still around 29–33°C (84–90°F). August has already been pretty hot, and there will almost certainly be a couple of heat waves in the month to come. But it looks like it won’t get to those dangerous temperatures that we saw in July, so I’ll take it.

For anyone coming to Rome, my advice is to pick just one thing to do each day – then not do it in the middle of the day. Get up early for a nice stroll somewhere while the temperatures are still pleasant, then get back to your accommodation by noon and stay there until at least 4pm. Then get back out and do something easy until the evening, when you find your aperitivo spot and enjoy a spritz (or three).

Don’t worry if you can’t see everything on your trip this summer. Rome has been here forever. Everything will still be here the next time you visit.

What the extreme weather is like in each in Europe this summer - Lonely Planet (2)

Ireland’s washout summer

Fionnuala McCarthy is a Lonely Planet editorial director and lives in Dublin

It has been a summer of records in Ireland. We had the hottest June since records began, followed by the wettest July recorded, and we are currently at 34 days of nonstop rain – and still counting.

“Above average” rainfall is a term we have become accustomed to hearing, with some of the showers feeling almost tropical, as the temperatures are relatively warm, averaging around 17°C (62°F).

The medium-range forecast for August offers little in the way of blue skies. Yet we have made our peace with the weather: the countryside is looking super lush, while summer festivals, concerts and sporting events have all gone ahead in wet and at times muddy conditions.

For anyone with plans to visit in August, it’s worth remembering what every Irish mammy will tell you: there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes. So pack appropriately.

Gusts of wind and flying trampolines in Finland

Paula Hotti lives in Helsinki, she has recently completed working on Lonely Planet's Finland guidebook

In July, most Finns spent holidays listening to the rain at their summer cottages. In fact, in many places, such as central Finland’s Jyväskylä, a single day’s downpour surpassed the usual monthly rainfall.

And it’s not looking any better for August. The first week of the month began with predictions of rain and storm-like gusts of wind – and they have come true. (There have even been reports of trampolines flying through the air!) Our last hope for a 30°C (86°F) day – pretty much the pinnacle of heat in Finland – is tentatively forecast for this Sunday.

But remember that Finland is large: whereas in the south you might reach a pleasant 25°C (77°F), in Lapland nightly temperatures can drop below zero even in August. Pack your bags accordingly: light layers and waterproof jackets come in handy.

I haven’t gotten to Sweden yet this summer, but I do know that in July Borås (a city near Gothenburg and the west coast) received the highest recorded rainfall since 1939.

What the extreme weather is like in each in Europe this summer - Lonely Planet (3)

Expect the unexpected in Croatia

Isabel Putinja lives in Istria, she is currently writing the newExperience Croatia book

In July we had temperatures reaching 38°C (100°F), which is pretty typical for summer. Last summer, we had a drought with water restrictions in place; this summer, it’s unpredictable weather that’s been making news.

We’ve had quite a few thunderstorms and hailstorms, much more than usual for this time of year. This caused some damage to crops locally, while in other parts of Croatia damage was much more extensive. InSlavoniain the east, strong winds blew off roofs, while inZagrebfallen trees caused a lot of destruction and even a few deaths.

For August, temperatures are expected to hover around the high 20s°C (83- 84°F), bringing us some relief from the heat, while Dubrovnik and the south of the country will be higher at 33°C (91°F). However, forecasts warn a few scattered thunderstorms are still possible across Croatia. So far this summer, the theme seems to be: expect the unexpected.

Take a sweater for evenings in Portugal

Austin Bushnow lives in Lisbon, after spending 20 years in Bangkok, contributing to Lonely Planet's Asia guidebooks

Portugal can get plenty hot during the summer – but we’re thankfully not experiencing the high temperatures seen in other parts of Europe right now.

In July, Lisbon averages a warm but tolerable 23.5°C (74°F), and this July was on par with that. Head up north, to Porto for example, and it’s a bit cooler; down south, in the Algarve, generally a bit hotter. You won’t find huge extremes.

Even if we do hit an especially warm stretch, which can happen in August, along the coast breezes from the Atlantic Ocean cool things significantly at night; temperatures as low as 18°C (64°F) are standard in Lisbon once the sun is down. If I’m going out on a summer night in Lisbon, I always grab a sweater or light jacket: sometimes I’m grateful I brought it; often I’m left holding it. In Porto or other points north, I usually end up wearing it.

What the extreme weather is like in each in Europe this summer - Lonely Planet (4)

France on drought alert, despite the rain

Ashley Parsons splits her time between the Luberon in Provence and near Chamonix in the Alps. She has just finished working on the next Provence & the Cote d'Azur guidebook

What’s been difficult about the weather in France this summer is that it has been changing very quickly.

In the Luberon, we’ve had more than a week where afternoon highs ranged from 30–37°C (86–98°F) – unusually hot for the region. This impacts how we plan our days: doing outdoor activities early, closing the shutters at 9am to keep the cool air inside, then going to the river in the late afternoon.

In the Alps, the weather was very hot the first half of July, followed by weeks of clouds and frequent rain, with day temperatures a modest 20°C (68°F°). My four-year-old nephew spent holidays in Brittany; he wore a hoodie most days and barely went swimming.

Despite intermittent rains, the majority of France is considered to be on high alert for drought, with more than 100 villages limiting water use. Hikers may have to ask at cafés or knock on doors to refill their water bottles rather than relying on public fountains. Météo France predicts that temperatures will rise quickly by August 7. I wouldn’t be surprised if the beaches on the Côte d’Azur are extra-full this year. So if you’re planning to reserve a chair at a beach club, you might want to do so in advance.

What the extreme weather is like in each in Europe this summer - Lonely Planet (5)

In the UK, temperatures have plunged by half from last year

Zara Sekhavati is a Lonely Planet destination editor for Africa and the Middle East, based in London

This July was one of the wettest on record for the UK. Temperatures were around 15°C (59°F), making it cooler than it should be at this time of year. This is in stark contrast to last summer, when an extreme heatwave saw temperatures rise to 40°C (104°F). Last summer we were advised to stay indoors from 11am to 3pm, and close curtains and blinds.

In early August, the UK is set for more showers, with temperatures reaching a mere 20°C (68°F). At half the temperature from this time last year, a rainy summer is what lies in store.

Anyone planning to come to the UK in August should definitely pack an umbrella; a rain poncho is a good idea, too. I wore one of these at an outdoor concert a couple of weekends ago – without that, I would have been drenched.

What the extreme weather is like in each in Europe this summer - Lonely Planet (6)

Turkey faces ongoing heat waves

İsmet Ersoy lives in İzmir, heis currently working on the next edition of Türkiye bluepsine guidebook

This summer, all of Türkiyeis battling high temperatures. Since mid-July, temperatures have been around 40°C (104°F) throughout the country, especially in the coastal regions.

İzmir, where I live, has affected by this heat wave more than most. People are staying indoors, going to air-conditioned places or to the beaches to cool off.

Authorities say that the high temperatures experienced in July will continue in August. People in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions will be the ones most affected by the hot weather across the country for the coming weeks.

Anyone traveling to Turkey in August should definitely pack thin cotton and light-colored clothes, and bring a handheld fan that they can carry during the day.

A record-breaking heat wave in Greece

Helen Iatrou is based in Athens, she hasco-authored Lonely Planet’s Greece guides

An early-July island jaunt was just what I needed to deal with a 15-day, record-breaking heat wave that kept me indoors with A/C throughout the second half of the month. As temperatures soared to around 42°C (107°F) on my balcony in southern Athens, I slipped out only for the rare walk.

Locals and visitors jammed beaches along the coast –which is always a few degrees cooler than the city center – while others retreated to museums and malls. The heat proved so extreme that access to the Acropolis was temporarily limited.

Other parts of the country, like Gythio, saw highs of up to 46.4°C (115°F), while sea-surface temperatures in the Ionian Sea rose to 30°C (86F). Sweltering is an understatement.

Heading to Greece in August? Keep an eye on weather reports, and venture out only in the morning and evening. Bring plenty of water and shade – and skip the fried calamari.

What the extreme weather is like in each in Europe this summer - Lonely Planet (7)

A milder summer in Madrid

Fran Sevillano is a product manager at Lonely Planet, and lives in his native Madrid

Madrid in summer is generally perceived as hotter than other places in Spain, but I think that’s mostly due to its being a large city, full of cement and asphalt. It’s a place that never really cools down during the night, making it harder to sleep.

Compared to other summers, the heat has been mild during the past two months. It’s not unusual to reach 40ºC (104 ºF) for days at a time here – though we haven’t gotten quite there this summer. Spring lasted a bit longer than usual, and when the heat arrived, it didn’t stay for as long or reach the highs of prior years.

Combined with the fact that travel is back in full force this year, there is a more positive vibe than in past years. We Spaniards love our summer, and everyone is squeezing every bit of it this year. If you want to visit Madrid or any other region in Spain, now would be a great time to do so.

What the extreme weather is like in each in Europe this summer - Lonely Planet (2024)

FAQs

What is the extreme temperature in Europe? ›

UN verifies 48.8C in Sicily 2021 as European heat record

“WMO has accepted a new temperature record for continental Europe of 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.8 degrees Fahrenheit) measured in Sicily on August 11, 2021,” the Geneva-based organisation said.

What is the weather like in Europe? ›

Most of Western Europe has an Oceanic climate, in the Köppen climate classification, featuring cool to warm summers and cool winters with frequent overcast skies. Southern Europe has a distinctively Mediterranean climate, which features warm to hot, dry summers and cool to mild winters and frequent sunny skies.

What is the climate in Europe summer? ›

Summers range from warm to hot depending on latitude and elevation, and the weather is changeable everywhere. The maritime climate extends across Svalbard, Iceland, the Faroes, Great Britain and Ireland, Norway, southern Sweden, western France, the Low Countries, northern Germany, and northwestern Spain.

What is the weather like in Europe in August and September? ›

In much of continental Europe, you can generally expect pleasant weather from mid-May through mid-September, with the highest temperatures in July and August, ranging from the low 20s to the low 30s, depending on your exact location, with eastern countries generally experiencing more heat.

Does Europe have extreme climates? ›

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.

What is Europe's highest temperature in summer? ›

Europe's hottest-ever recorded temperature is believed to be 48.8 degrees Celsius, logged near the ancient city of Syracuse on the coast of Sicily in August 2021. The World Meteorological Organization believes this record could be broken in the coming days as the heatwave is expected to intensify.

What season is it in Europe now? ›

There are four main seasons in Europe: Spring from April to May. Summers from June to mid-September, Autumn from mid-September to mid-November.

Is the weather changing in Europe? ›

Climate change in Europe has resulted in an increase in temperature of 2.3 °C (2022) in Europe compared to pre-industrial levels. Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world. Europe's climate is getting warmer due to anthropogenic activity.

What is the weather like in Europe in June? ›

The average temperature in Eu in June for a typical day ranges from a high of 66°F (19°C) to a low of 53°F (12°C). Some would describe it as mildly cool with a gentle breeze. For comparison, the hottest month in Eu, August, has days with highs of 69°F (21°C) and lows of 57°F (14°C).

Are summers in Europe getting hotter? ›

The researchers also looked at how much hotter the summer was than those in the past. France fared the worst: Summer 2022 was about 4.4 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the 1991 to 2020 average. Switzerland, Italy, Hungary and Spain were not far behind.

What is the weather like in Europe in summer 2023? ›

Europe is experiencing some of the hottest temperatures of summer 2023 so far, as a 'heat dome' expands over the southern half of the continent. This weather pattern allows a warm air mass to build up under a high-pressure system, creating stable and dry conditions.

Is it Summertime in Europe? ›

In the European Union, Summer Time begins and ends at 1:00 a.m. Universal Time (Greenwich Mean Time). It begins the last Sunday in March and ends the last Sunday in October. In the EU, all time zones change at the same moment.

What is the weather like in August in Europe? ›

Europe Weather In August

Europe has a diverse geography and therefore the climate varies according to the region from Mediterranean isles to arctic Norwegian fjords. Weather in Europe in August is pleasant in most of the countries. The average low during this time is 14°C, whereas the average high is 28°C.

How is the weather in Europe in July? ›

Most of Europe is feeling the heat in July, with temperatures in the Mediterranean typically above 30ºC. As schools break up in mid July, and thousands of families flock to Europe's coasts, heatwaves can push the mercury above 40ºC, with the added risk of wildfires in some areas.

Is September still summer in Europe? ›

September marks the transition from summer to autumn in Europe, resulting in mild and comfortable weather across the continent.

What is the hottest country in Europe? ›

The hottest places in Europe

The hottest place in Europe is Valletta in Malta, with an average daily temperature over the whole year of 22.3ºC.

Which European country has highest temperature? ›

The ESA monitors land and sea temperatures via its satellites. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe was 48.8C in Sicily in August 2021. There are also fears in Greece of a greater risk of wildfires, especially in areas with high winds. It suffered major wildfires in 2021 in another exceptional heatwave.

Is Europe hotter than America? ›

Parts of Western Europe (taken to mean the part of Europe west of the longitude that joins the Adriatic and the Baltic), are 15–20 degC warmer than parts of eastern North America and are also warmer than western North America at the same latitudes.

Where are the high temperatures in Europe? ›

The hottest places will be across Spain, Italy, Greece and parts of the Balkans. The Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia may approach 48C on Tuesday and Wednesday, close to the all-time European record of 48.8C set in Sicily in August 2021. Record-breaking heat is also expected in Rome.

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