BBC Inside Science Why is Europe the fastest-warming continent?
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Apr 30, 2026 
Caroline Steel, science journalist known for quick rundowns of new research, and Dr Samantha Burgess, deputy director at Copernicus and lead on the European State of the Climate report. They explore why Europe is warming twice as fast as the world, the roles of Arctic amplification, changing air pollution and snow loss, and which regions face the sharpest impacts.
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Why Europe Warms Twice As Fast
- Europe is warming at roughly twice the global average due to Arctic amplification, changing atmospheric circulation, reduced air pollution, and loss of snow/ice albedo.
- Samantha Burgess links sunnier skies from cleaner air and shrinking snow/ice reflectivity to amplified regional heating.
Hotspots In Europe Move North And Up
- Northern Scandinavia, Svalbard and Alpine regions are heating faster; 95% of Europe saw above-average 2025 temperatures.
- Samantha Burgess highlights a tiny cool spot south of the Alps amid widespread warming.
Heatwaves Droughts And Hot Oceans Across Europe
- Heatwaves and marine heatwaves have surged: subarctic Fennoscandia had a 21-day July heatwave and 86% of European ocean saw strong marine heatwave conditions.
- Spring 2025 saw 35% of Europe in extreme agricultural drought during peak growing season.