Half of Europe witnessed record heat stress this summer — EU

A record 52% of Europe witnessed "very strong" heat stress by the end of this summer, the EU's Copernicus Climate Service (C3S) said in new research published on Friday. According to Copernicus, "very strong" heat stress is characterized by temperatures which feel higher than 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Around 80% of Europe witnessed "strong" heat stress by the end of the summer. "Strong" heat stress is when temperatures feel like more than 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Heat stress is when temperatures and humidity are so high that the body cannot cool itself through perspiration. This summer was the third-warmest on record on the European continent and the hottest on record in Western Europe.