A recent heatwave in Europe has been linked to over 1,300 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Scientists from the World Weather Attribution consortium determined that climate change has intensified these heatwave conditions, with temperatures consistently exceeding historical averages.

Temperatures across Europe have been 5C to 12C above seasonal averages during this period. The consortium also found that nearly half of Europe's 850 largest cities have experienced their worst heat stress in recorded history.

The extreme heat caused material impacts, including the rupture of Germany's Autobahn surface, leading to lane closures. Train lines buckled, power lines degraded, and medical equipment was crippled. Nuclear plants were also forced to close due to regulations that limit the use of river water for cooling reactors when temperatures are too high.

Scientists noted that the daytime temperatures recorded in recent days would have been impossible during the European heatwave of 1976. Furthermore, these temperatures were found to be 10 times less likely than those experienced during the 2003 heatwave.