In August 2003, Europe experienced one of its deadliest heatwaves, with France recording temperatures up to 44.1°C in the town of Conqueyrac. This event caused tens of thousands of deaths and raised awareness about the dangers of extreme heat in Europe. It marked a turning point in European climate policy discussions.

On July 7, 2015, Montoro in southern Spain recorded a temperature of 47.3°C, one of the highest ever measured in Europe at the time. This extreme heat highlighted the increasing frequency of intense heatwaves in southern Europe and their impact on agriculture and public health.

On July 25, 2017, Gallargues-le-Montueux in southern France recorded a temperature of 45.9°C, setting a new national record. This event underscored the trend of rising temperatures in Western Europe and intensified discussions on climate adaptation strategies.

During late July 2019, France and Germany experienced severe heatwaves, with temperatures reaching 46.0°C in Vérargues, France, and 42.6°C in Lingen, Germany. These records highlighted the spread of extreme heat beyond southern Europe into central and northern regions.

On July 19, 2021, the town of Floridia in Sicily, Italy, recorded an official temperature of 48.8°C, the highest ever officially measured in Europe. This record was verified by the World Meteorological Organization and marked a new extreme in European heat records.

In July 2022, a widespread heatwave affected much of Western Europe, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in countries like the UK, France, and Belgium. This event demonstrated the increasing reach of extreme heat events into regions previously less affected.

On July 19, 2023, Montoro, Spain, surpassed its previous record by reaching 47.6°C. This reinforced the trend of rising maximum temperatures in southern Europe and raised concerns about future heat extremes under climate change.

On August 10, 2023, Gallargues-le-Montueux in France recorded 46.2°C, breaking its previous record from 2017. This event highlighted the continuing trend of increasing heat extremes in Europe.

In mid-July 2024, southern Europe experienced another intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 47°C in parts of Spain and Italy. This event further emphasized the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the region.

On July 20, 2025, both France and Spain recorded temperatures above 47°C, with new local records set in several towns. This event confirmed the ongoing trend of rising temperature extremes across Europe.