Nature and Biodiversity

Which European countries have seen new temperature records this January?

European temperatures have been breaking records in January 2023.

European temperatures have been breaking records in January 2023. Image: Pexels/Markus Spiske

Anna Fleck
Data Journalist, Statista
  • Eight countries in Europe recorded all-time high temperatures in January 2023, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and Latvia.
  • Records usually increase by a few tenths of a centigrade, but Warsaw has seen a 4°C rise.
  • In Bilbao in northern Spain, temperatures have been 10°C above average for the month.

Eight countries in Europe recorded all-time high temperature records for January on New Year’s Day this year. The following data draws from the visualization of meteorologist Scott Duncan and reports by the BBC.

Thousands of local measuring stations across the continent saw peak temperatures on January 1. These included locations in Poland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belarus, The Czech Republic, Spain, Lithuania and Latvia. Peak records usually increase by a few tenths of a centigrade. However, this year Warsaw saw a four degree rise compared to the month’s prior record, hitting 18.9°C.

The BBC reports that even more extreme temperatures were seen in Bilbao, northern Spain, which reached 25.1°C on Sunday - a 10 degree jump from the month's usual average. Meanwhile, Liechtenstein’s capital of Vaduz hit 20°C and the Czech Republic town of Javornik saw highs of 19.6°C.

A graphic showing January temperature records broken across Europe.
Europe saw peak temperatures on January 1. Image: Statista.
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