May 2026 ranked second among the hottest Mays on record. According to the European Copernicus Climate Change Service, anomalously high temperatures were recorded both on land and in the ocean, while Western Europe faced one of the earliest and most intense heat waves in recorded history.
According to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), operating under the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the average global air temperature in May was 15.81 °C. This is 0.55 °C above the average for the period 1991–2020. Only May 2024 was warmer, reports the Tribune.
The sea surface temperature of the world's oceans also remained near record levels. Warming continued in the tropical part of the Pacific Ocean, linked to the formation of the El Niño climate phenomenon.
Europe Experienced Anomalously Early Heat
In the second half of May, Europe faced a sharp transition from cool weather to extremely high temperatures.
The heat wave particularly affected France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Portugal. According to climatologists, this was one of the most intense early heat waves ever recorded in the region. Many countries broke May temperature records.
In several areas, the perceived temperature reached 35–40 °C, creating a serious heat burden on the population.
"The unusually early and intense heat wave in Europe shows how quickly climate extremes are becoming the new norm rather than the exception," noted Samantha Burgess, head of the climate division at ECMWF.
Drought in the West, Flooding in the East
While Spain, Italy, and other areas of Southern and Western Europe faced a precipitation deficit, flooding was reported in Turkey, Bulgaria, and Moldova.
Northern Europe and parts of Scandinavia, on the other hand, received more precipitation than usual. At the same time, a significant part of Central and Eastern Europe experienced a dry period. In major river basins, including the Danube and Vistula, water levels were below long-term averages.
Climate Contrasts Around the World
Outside of Europe, wetter weather was observed in the northern and southeastern regions of North America, certain areas of Asia, western China, Brazil, southern Africa, and Australia.
A lack of precipitation was noted in the central United States, a significant portion of South America, Madagascar, and southwestern Australia.
Scientists also reported a continuing reduction in sea ice extent. In the Arctic, the extent in May was about 4% below normal and was the fourth lowest on record for this month. In Antarctica, the ice cover was 9% below average, corresponding to the seventh lowest level for May.
New Copernicus data confirm the ongoing trend of global warming. Record-high ocean temperatures, early heat waves, droughts, and floods in various regions of the world indicate that climate change is increasingly impacting weather conditions and becoming one of the key challenges for many countries.
