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Europe is warming at a rate twice as fast as the global average. The year 2024 was the warmest on record for both the planet and Europe, with Europe’s average temperature rising by approximately 2.4°C compared to pre-industrial times.
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East-West temperature contrast within Europe: While Eastern Europe
experienced sunny and warm conditions, Western Europe faced cloudier and wetter weather. Southeastern Europe endured its longest recorded heatwave. -
Arctic effect: A significant portion of Europe lies within the Arctic region, where warming is amplified. The melting Arctic ice exposes darker surfaces (land/water), increasing solar radiation absorption (albedo effect).
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Reduction in Aerosols: Decreased aerosol emissions, indicative of cleaner air, contribute to faster warming. Aerosols scatter sunlight, reducing solar radiation absorption. Their reduction allows for increased absorption, leading to warming.
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Consequences of Warming: Europe faces unprecedented extreme weather events, including heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and flooding. The area experiencing below-freezing temperatures in 2024 was the largest ever. The number of cold stress days (extremely cold temperatures) was the lowest on record.
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Other Contributing Factors: Changes in atmospheric circulation, warmer sea-surface temperatures, the urban heat island effect, and glacier melting also play a role in accelerating Europe’s warming trend.
Europe Warms Faster
