2024 Europe spring heatwave

Throughout late March and April 2024, Europe was affected by abnormally high temperatures that reached the summer average. National records for spring temperatures were broken in mainly Eastern European and Southeastern European countries. During March, eight countries had broken temperature records with Moldova reporting the highest 29.7°C in Sîngerei followed by Albania at 29.6°C in Kuçovë, Croatia at 29°C in Osijek, and Belarus at 27.2°C in Lyelchytsy. The heatwave continued into April with temperatures going above 30°C in southern parts of Europe making it the first-ever daytime record in April. The highest was recorded in Zenica, Bosnia & Herzegovina, at 33.3°C on April 14, 2024. After two weeks of persistent heat, a cold spell occurred. The cause of the heatwave was a stream of hot air from Africa.

Background
Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported January 2024 as the hottest month with a 1.66°C above the pre-industrial average making it 0.12°C warmer than January 2020. For the first time, the global temperature was above 1.5°C for 12 months, breaching the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement in 2015. Risks of record-breaking temperatures in 2024 were also noted by the Met Office in the UK. The unusual warmth during the winter continued in February with Europe reporting a 2°C above average for February 2024. A warm spell occurred in late February in which daily maxima reached up to 20°C in southeastern parts of Europe which was 12°C above the 1991-2020 average. March 2024 also broke a record with 1.68 C above the pre-industrial average.