Drought fears in Europe amid reports May was world’s second hottest ever

Copernicus data shows month was 1.4C above estimated 1850-1900 average used to define pre-industrial level

It has been an exceptionally dry spring in north-western Europe and the second warmest May ever globally, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).

Countries across Europe, including the UK, have been hit by drought conditions in recent months, with water shortages feared unless significant rain comes this summer, and crop failures beginning to be reported by farmers.