--- title: "Record-Breaking Heat Waves Sweep Southern Europe and North Africa" url: https://newscentral.site/record-breaking-heat-waves-sweep-southern-europe-and-north-africa/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-10-20T11:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-10-20T14:56:57.778Z id: 29020119-69f9-46a2-ab5f-04d7fea4d88a source: "Live Science https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/weather/it-makes-me-feel-that-we-can-do-a-lot-about-it-esa-official-shares-striking-satellite-snap-of-europes-record-breaking-summer-heat-waves-earth-from-space" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/record-breaking-heat-waves-sweep-southern-europe-and-north-africa/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Record-Breaking Heat Waves Sweep Southern Europe and North Africa A recent satellite image captured by the European Space Agency's Sentinel-3B has revealed scorching temperatures across various parts of Southern Europe. Southern Europe and North Africa have been experiencing record-breaking heat waves this summer, leaving a lasting impact on the region. A striking satellite image taken by the European Space Agency's (ESA) Sentinel-3B has captured the scorching land and sea surface temperatures during one of these extreme events. The image was created using data from the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) onboard the Sentinel-3B, a highly advanced satellite designed to monitor the Earth's surface. The thermal image reveals areas of extremely high temperatures across various parts of Southern Europe, including Spain, France, and Italy. Dark reds dominate the terrestrial landscape in the image, indicating land surface temperatures exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) across most of Spain and parts of France and Italy. In contrast, dark purple spots signify even higher highs above 104 F (40 C) in specific patches of Spain and North Africa. The thermal image also highlights sea surface temperatures spiking across the Mediterranean Sea, a crucial body of water that connects Southern Europe with North Africa. This phenomenon has significant implications for regional weather patterns and marine ecosystems. Simonetta Cheli, director of Earth observation programs at ESA and head of the European Space Research Institute (ESRIN) in Frascati, Italy, selected this image for its striking portrayal of extreme heat waves affecting the region. When asked about her favorite satellite image from this year, she highlighted this photo as one that caught her eye. The use of advanced satellite technology has enabled scientists to monitor and analyze these extreme weather events with unprecedented precision. By studying data collected by satellites like Sentinel-3B, researchers can gain valuable insights into climate patterns and better understand the causes and consequences of heat waves in Southern Europe. The satellite image capturing Europe's record-breaking summer heat wave is a striking visual representation of the extreme weather conditions that have been affecting the continent. The image, taken by ESA's orbiting spacecraft, shows both land and sea areas turned red due to high temperatures. According to an ESA official, assessing how terrestrial and marine environments interact during such events is crucial for understanding their impact. By combining data from both environments in a single image, researchers can appreciate the full extent of heat waves like this one. The official views satellite images related to climate change as a source of hope rather than despair. These images demonstrate the ability of orbiting spacecraft to monitor subtle changes on Earth's surface and provide valuable insights into environmental phenomena. ESA's capacity to track extreme weather events is expected to improve with the launch of new-and-improved satellites, such as Sentinel-3C, which was successfully launched in September. This successor to the spacecraft that captured the heat wave image has already taken its first photos of Earth and will aid in studying future heat waves in greater detail. As ESA continues to enhance its satellite capabilities, researchers will have access to more precise data on climate patterns and extreme weather events like this summer's record-breaking heat wave in Europe. The European summer of 2023 will be remembered as one of the hottest on record, with at least five separate heat waves sweeping across the continent between late May and mid-August. The prolonged period of high temperatures led to widespread droughts, some of which are still ongoing, and several devastating wildfires. The peak temperature was reached in June, when Western Europe recorded its highest average monthly temperature ever, according to the World Meteorological Organization. This average takes into account both daytime and nighttime temperatures, explaining why it may seem relatively low compared to other reported temperatures. A total of eight countries - Austria, Belarus, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia - experienced their highest land surface temperature on record at various points during the summer. Several other nations also set new temperature records for specific months or regions, underscoring the severity of the heat wave. The extreme weather had far-reaching consequences, including at least 35,000 excess deaths across Europe, although experts believe the actual number may be significantly higher. The high temperatures were linked to several large wildfires in France, among other areas. The prolonged heat waves can be attributed to "heat domes," pockets of high atmospheric pressure that trap warm air beneath them, much like a lid on top of a boiling pot. These heat domes are also associated with increased sea surface temperatures, which contribute to the extreme weather conditions. The record-breaking heat waves sweeping across Europe are not a direct result of the ongoing super El Niño event that began in May. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the Pacific Ocean temperatures have indeed reached unprecedented levels, but this phenomenon has no bearing on the extreme weather conditions observed in Europe. Instead, the ESA attributes these record temperatures to the continuation of global warming trends that have been unfolding over recent years. This ongoing process is driving temperatures upwards and contributing to the extreme heat waves being experienced across various regions. The potential impact of El Niño is not limited to this summer's heat waves. In fact, the super El Niño event could lead to even more extreme weather conditions during the winter months in both Europe and North America. This is a concern that climate experts are closely monitoring. A recent satellite image has captured a striking scene of Taiwan's Yunlin County, where tens of thousands of size-restricted farms have been tightly packed into a small area. The island's agricultural sector relies heavily on these farms to produce the majority of its food supplies. The effects of extreme weather events can be seen in various parts of the world. A recent satellite image has also captured sediment swirling across the West Florida Shelf, following an intense cold snap that brought snow to large areas of the eastern United States. The European Space Agency (ESA) has released a striking satellite image of Europe's record-breaking summer heat waves. The photograph captures the intense heat that gripped the continent in July and August, with temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels. The heat wave was particularly severe in Western Europe, where it caused widespread droughts and wildfires. A recent satellite image has also captured sediment swirling across the West Florida Shelf, following an intense cold snap that brought snow to large areas of the eastern United States. This unusual phenomenon highlights the complex global weather patterns at play during extreme climate events. --- Source: [Live Science](https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/weather/it-makes-me-feel-that-we-can-do-a-lot-about-it-esa-official-shares-striking-satellite-snap-of-europes-record-breaking-summer-heat-waves-earth-from-space) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/record-breaking-heat-waves-sweep-southern-europe-and-north-africa/