Algerian Radio
The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service has announced that last May was the second hottest May ever recorded globally. Several European countries experienced record-breaking temperatures due to a "heat dome" that pushed hot air masses from North Africa toward the west of the continent.
The report noted that Western Europe transitioned rapidly from cooler-than-normal conditions to one of the most intense heatwaves recorded this early in the year, with "feels-like" temperatures reaching between 35°C and 40°C across large areas.
The report added that this rapid climate shift has intensified the impact on populations and ecosystems, given the short window available to adapt to the sharp temperature rise, particularly regarding agricultural crops.
On a global scale, the average surface air temperature reached 15.81°C in May, the second highest on record after May 2024. Sea surface temperatures also hit their second-highest historical levels, with heat continuing to rise across vast areas of the tropical Pacific.
