Summer is officially over in Europe – and for millions of people, this may be remembered as the year when extreme weather stopped feeling particularly unusual.Western Europe endured an extraordinary succession of heatwaves, drought, wildfires, and water shortages. Temperatures repeatedly climbed above 40C (104F), rivers fell to historic lows, and crops withered.Then, in some places, the drought ended not with gentle rain but violent storms and flash flooding.France, the UK, and Belgium all recorded their hottest summers on record.So, was