New European record: 48.2°C recorded in Sardinia

Europe has just seen its hottest July day on record.

On Monday 24th July 2023, Jerzu in Sardinia climbed to 48.2°C, provisionally exceeding the previous European temperature record for July, set on 10th July 1977 in Athens with 48°C.

On the same day, Palermo in Sicily, Italy, also recorded its hottest day in history since records began in 1790 with 47°C.

However the all-time European record still stands at 48.8°C, set in Sicily on 11th August 2021.

All kinds of records take some time to be officially accepted by the World Meteorological Organisation, so at present this new record is only provisional.

In fact, the record of 48.8°C was only officially accepted by the WMO on the 17th July 2023, two years after the record provisionally broke.

As consequence of the relentless and insane heat, wildfires are beginning to rapidly spread across populated areas of southern Italy, with Palermo's airport now closed. This follows Greece's terrifying fire outbreaks.

These kinds of temperatures are not normal summer weather. Temperatures are over 10 degrees above the climatic norm for the time of year, with several records falling each day.