In the early morning of July 4, 2025, Central Texas was hit by deadly flash floods as remnants of Tropical Storm Barry clashed with a stalled front. Over 10 inches of rain fell rapidly in Kerr County, causing the Guadalupe River to rise nearly 29 feet in under an hour. Camp Mystic was devastated, with many campers caught unaware as emergency alerts failed to reach them. The flood, among the deadliest in recent Texas history, overwhelmed response efforts and left dozens missing.
Climameter found that similar meteorological conditions in the region, particularly in the Hill Country between San Antonio and Austin, are now up to 2 mm/day wetter and 1.5 °C warmer than they were in the past. These changes have created an environment more conducive to sudden, high-impact rainfall events.
Credit: AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi
From June 23 to 25, an intense heatwave swept across the eastern United States as a powerful heat dome stalled over the region, pushing temperatures to record-breaking levels. Cities like Newark (39.4 °C / 103 °F), Boston (38.9 °C / 102 °F, its hottest June day since 1872), Baltimore (40.6 °C / 105 °F), and New York City (37.8 °C / 100 °F) endured extreme heat and high humidity, with heat index values exceeding 43.3 °C (110 °F) in many locations.
Climameter found that similar meteorological conditions in the region, particularly across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, are now up to 1.5 °C warmer and up to 4 mm/day wetter than in the past. These changes mean that “wet heat”—the dangerous combination of high temperatures and elevated humidity—is becoming more intense. The study, which analyzes changes in weather patterns since 1950, concludes that these shifts have been largely intensified by human-induced climate change. Natural climate variability likely played a minor role. Additional factors not covered in the analysis, such as urban heat island effects, may also have contributed to the severity of the event.
Image: A commuter rests their head while ascending an escalator at the Dupont Circle Metro Station in Northwest Washington on Tuesday. (Tom Brenner/For The Washington Post)
From 20 to 22 June 2025, large parts of western and southern Europe experienced an intense early-season heatwave, with Spain,France, UK and Italy particularly affected. In France, the national meteorological agency Météo-France placed 27 departments under yellow alert and 16 under orange alert as temperatures rose rapidly across the country. Central and southwestern regions saw widespread values above 37 °C, with near 40 °C in areas like the Lot and Tarn. This episode marked the 50th heatwave officially recorded in France since 1947, highlighting a concerning acceleration in frequency over the past decades, as reported by Le Monde.
Climameter found that similar meteorological conditions in the region, particularly across France, northern Spain, and southern England, are now up to 2.5 °C warmer and up to 2 mm/day drier than in the past. The study, which analyzes changes in weather patterns from 1950, concludes that these shifts – especially the increase in temperature and the decrease in precipitation – have been largely intensified by human-induced climate change. Natural climate variability likely played a minor role. Additional factors not covered in the analysis such as urban heat island effects may also have contributed to the severity of the event.
Image: A Paris, le 19 juin 2025. GONZALO FUENTES / REUTERS
Between 27 and 29 May 2025, a major wildfire outbreak occurred across Canada, particularly in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, marking one of the most intense early-season fire events on record. Manitoba, already severely affected by many wildfires in mid-May, emerged as one of the hardest-hit provinces, where nearly 200,000 hectares of land were scorched and over 17,000 residents were forced to evacuate towns including Flin Flon, Lac du Bonnet, and Swan River. The fires generated massive smoke plumes, severely affecting air quality across central and eastern Canada and spilling into U.S. states. Alerts were issued in many of these regions by late May. By early June the smoke reached Europe.
On 20 May 2025 torrential rains triggered severe flooding across parts of New South Wales, Australia, with thousands of residents facing isolation and evacuations. In just a few days, some regions received more than a month’s worth of rainfall, breaking historical records. Maps illustrate the vast extent of the deluge, showing many areas, particularly in the northeast, experiencing exceptional downpours. The rainfall has overwhelmed rivers and infrastructure, submerging roads and homes, and cutting off entire communities. Emergency services have conducted numerous rescues, and local authorities warn that conditions could worsen with more rain forecasted. Towns such as Lismore and Taree have been among the hardest hit, with schools closed and essential services disrupted.
Climameter found that meteorological conditions leading to the May 2025 floods in New South Wales are up to 3 mm/day wetter (up to 15%) compared to similar past events. We interpret this event as an event driven by very rare exceptional meteorological conditions whose characteristics can mostly be ascribed to human driven climate change.
Image: The Sydney Morning Herald
Between 8 and 9 May 2025 heavy rainfall affected the South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), causing the Kasaba River to overflow, leading to severe flooding in the Kasaba village, on the Lake Tanganyika shore. The isolation of the area and the lack of connection to the internet made communication and rescue operations difficult, although several news outlets reported around 100 confirmed fatalities from the event.
Climameter found that meteorological conditions leading to the May 2025 floods in Democratic Republic of the Congo are up to 7 mm/day wetter (up to 25%) compared to similar past events. We interpret this event as an exceptional meteorological occurrence, with characteristics that were mostly strengthened by human-driven climate change.
Floods in Kasaba Village in DR Congo on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Image credit: Association Chrétienne des Humanitaristes
Between 8 and 9 May 2025 heavy rainfall affected the South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), causing the Kasaba River to overflow, leading to severe flooding in the Kasaba village, on the Lake Tanganyika shore. The isolation of the area and the lack of connection to the internet made communication and rescue operations difficult, although several news outlets reported around 100 confirmed fatalities from the event.
Climameter found that meteorological conditions leading to the May 2025 floods in Democratic Republic of the Congo are up to 7 mm/day wetter (up to 25%) compared to similar past events. We interpret this event as an exceptional meteorological occurrence, with characteristics that were mostly strengthened by human-driven climate change.
Floods in Kasaba Village in DR Congo on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Image credit: Association Chrétienne des Humanitaristes