Extreme heat is currently gripping several countries in southern Europe and Turkey and has caused major forest fires in Greece, Italy and Turkey, among others.

In 2020, a new heat record was broken in Europe, with average temperatures more than 1.6 degrees above normal, according to data from the European climate organization Copernicus.

Heat waves more common 

Erik Kjellström, professor of climatology at SMHI, believes that one can see how temperatures in Europe have gradually risen over the past 50 years.

The meteorological conditions for forest fires have also increased as the climate becomes drier and warmer.

- In the summer, it is more common with intense heat waves.

Many temperature records have been broken and it has become warmer in connection with these heat waves, he says.

However, the effects of climate change look different depending on where in Europe one looks.

Sweden is affected

According to Kjellström, Sweden's climate has become warmer during all seasons, but above all the effects are visible at the beginning and end of winter.

When it comes to exposure to drought, Southern Europe is particularly affected.

- But in northern Europe and Sweden, we have also seen long-lasting heat waves in recent times.

It is also something that we also expect in the future in connection with strong high-pressure situations, says Erik Kjellström.

He sees a scenario where climate change in the future could have increasingly far-reaching consequences in Europe.

- We will continue to see more widespread problems with heat waves and droughts in the summers and there will also be more heavy rainfall and rain when it rains.

These problems will increase as it gets warmer, says Erik Kjellström.