Amidst an intensifying heatwave, scattered thunderstorm activity impacted parts of Western and Central Europe in June, causing economic and insured losses that will likely reach hundreds of millions of euros, according to Aon’s recent Weekly Cat Report.
Furthermore, the extreme heat has already caused dozens of fatalities, with the final death toll expected to rise significantly as excess mortality data becomes available, the report stated.
Starting June 18, a strong high-pressure system over Western and Central Europe drove a severe heatwave, with temperatures frequently exceeding 30°C (86°F).
While many areas stayed dry, intense and scattered thunderstorms developed across the region.
From northeast France across Belgium and the Netherlands into western and northern Germany, storm clusters produced large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain.
By June 22, these impacts spread to East and South East Europe, where scattered storms also brought local hail, strong winds and heavy showers.
According to Aon’s report, total economic and insured losses from the recent stretch of thunderstorm activity are expected to reach hundreds of millions of euros, primarily due to hail, with additional impacts related to wind and heavy rainfall.
The report also shone a light on how the late-June heatwave has impacted Europe so far.
The heatwave is driven by a persistent ‘Omega blocking’ pattern that anchored a powerful heat dome over Western and Central Europe.
A strong upper-level ridge acted like a lid on the atmosphere, trapping very hot, dry Saharan air and limiting relief from passing lows or fronts.
As a result, heat intensified over several days, producing an exceptionally prolonged and widespread event with temperatures exceeding 10°C (18°F) above normal in many areas.
Daily highs reached the low 40s °C across Iberia, France, the United Kingdom (UK) and Benelux, with the pattern expected to shift eastward through June.
On June 24, France saw its hottest day ever with a national average of 29.9°C (85.8°F), surpassing the previous records. The highest temperatures reported through June 25 were Palluau in France, with 43.8°C (110.8°F), Ramales de la Victoria in Spain, with 42.9°C (109.2°F): and Merryfield in the UK, with 36.7°C (98.1°F).
France issued red heat warnings for 72 departments, reporting at least 48 drownings since June 18, while Spain has estimated at least 212 heat-related fatalities.
Further updates and analysis will be provided as more information on excess mortality linked to the extreme heat becomes available, with the final death toll expected to rise significantly, Aon warned.
