Europe's May heat dome: Why meteorologists distinguish between extreme temperatures and heat waves

Extreme heat poses health risks to vulnerable populations across Europe, with potential impacts on public health systems and outdoor activities.

In May 2026, Europe found itself confronting a season that had forgotten its own nature — spring temperatures reaching 40°C on the continent and a record 34.8°C in the United Kingdom, driven by a heat dome that settled over the region like a lid refusing to lift. Meteorologists were careful to name the phenomenon precisely, because in the language of atmospheric science, naming is understanding, and understanding is the first step toward preparation. The event raised questions that outlasted the heat itself: not merely when the pressure would break, but whether such configurations are becoming

Europe's May heat dome: Why meteorologists distinguish between extreme temperatures and heat waves

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