 The months of June and July 2006 are regarded as one of the best summers ever due to the high levels of sunshine, warm temperatures and low rainfall.Drought and health problems were not an issue in Ireland, unlike many parts of Europe – mostly because the heat was not as severe there.July 2006

With a monthly average of , KNMI statistics show July 2006 was the warmest-ever month on record for the Netherlands.KNMI Klimaatdata en Advies - Informatie over verleden weer Around 500 or 1,000 more people than usual died in July 2006.CBS - 500 extra doden in warme juliweken - Webmagazine

Earlier, the Four Day Marches of Nijmegen had been cancelled after only one day as hundreds of people collapsed the first day, two of them eventually dying due to fatal heat stroke.