May 2026 Ranked Second-Hottest on Record Globally Amid Extreme Weather Events

May 2026 ranked as the second-warmest May globally in recorded history, according to reports from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The average surface air temperature reached 15.81°C, which is 0.55°C higher than the 1991-2020 average for the month.

This global heat trend was accompanied by exceptionally high sea surface temperatures (SST) in the tropical Pacific. These rising temperatures signal the region's ongoing transition towards El Niño conditions, a phenomenon expected to influence global weather patterns in the coming months and potentially trigger extreme weather events worldwide.

Europe, in particular, endured a dramatic shift from cooler-than-average conditions to one of the most intense early heatwaves ever recorded. France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Portugal experienced particularly severe conditions, with temperatures in some areas exceeding seasonal averages by over 10°C. This early and intense heatwave aligns with Europe's rapid warming trend and the increasing frequency and intensity of such events.

While Western Europe grappled with extreme heat, other regions faced different climate challenges. Large parts of Europe, including Italy and Spain, experienced drier-than-normal conditions. Conversely, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Moldova were hit by extensive flooding. The data highlights the complex and often extreme climate anomalies occurring globally, with May 2026 standing out as a stark indicator of ongoing climate change.

“

In Europe, the month was marked by a rapid transition from much colder-than-average conditions to one of the most intense heatwaves ever observed so early.