The 10 Hottest Cities In Europe

Europe is a diverse continent when it comes to weather. Some parts of Europe are perpetually frozen throughout the year and others are torrid by standards of the European maximum temperatures. The hottest cities in Europe typically average highest on the maximum temperature scale. The majority are found around the Mediterranean coastline of the continent. Below is a list of European cities organized by average maximum temperatures.

The 10 Hottest Cities In Europe

Athens

The Greek capital of Athens is Europe’s description of a summer "hotspot". The average maximum temperature in this city is about 30.7 degrees Celsius. Athens’ climate alternates between lengthy hot and dry summers and mild winters with moderate rainfall. July and August record the highest temperatures in the city and are also the driest months. The hot-summer Mediterranean climate of Athens places it at the top of the list of the hottest cities in Europe.

Podgorica

Podgorica is located in the central region of Montenegro, an area that is crossed by rivers and is also near Lake Skadar. The city is also a short distance of about 22 miles from the shores of the Adriatic Sea. As a result, Podgorica is slightly more humid than most European cities. Coupled with the Mediterranean climate of the city, the humidity tends to sustain the city’s temperature for longer periods of time. Temperatures in Podgorica can soar up to an average of 30.6 degrees Celsius during the summer. The Rumija Mountain blocks the city from the sea and thus limiting maritime influence on the city’s temperature.

Rome

The Italian capital, Rome, has an average maximum temperature of 30.4 degrees Celsius. Rome’s Mediterranean climate gives the city cool and humid winters and warm and dry summers. Due to its proximity to the sea, however, Rome has a high humidity that traps the city's warm temperature. The lowest temperatures are recorded between December and February.

Tirana

Albania’s capital, Tirana, is located in the center of the country with hills and mountains surrounding the city. As would be expected of a place near mountains, Tirana receives a bountiful amount of precipitation year-round. The city, therefore, ranks among the wettest cities in Europe. However, it is also one of the sunniest cities on the continent as well. The combination of heat and precipitation gives the city a humid subtropical climate. Additionally, being close to the Adriatic Sea and located on the Tirana plain, the city of Tirana experiences a seasonal Mediterranean climate which translates to its generally high maximum temperature averaging 30.2 degrees Celsius.

Climate Change

A new study on climate change in Europe by Newcastle University has established that under different probable future climate scenarios, many cities in Europe would be hit the hardest with the droughts, floods, and heat waves than previously thought. The study used different climate models to come up with the most likely outcome in a situation where the world fails to significantly cut carbon emissions, while the population continues to rise at the current rate. In the worst case scenario, the cities in southern Europe such as Almeria and Malaga would experience the worst drought which could be twice as severe as they were witnessed from 1951 to 2000. Other cities would experience as much as 14 times more severe drought as they are now. Cities that would experience severe drought include Athens, Madrid, Lisbon, Nicosia, Valletta, and Sofia.