Read here. As everyone knows, regions of Europe, including parts of Russia, experienced an uncomfortable heat wave for several weeks during the summer of 2010. But how about a heat wave and drought that lasted for several months? Well, certainly not in this century, nor during the late 20th century when there was a huge growth in CO2 emissions. But in 1540, there was a European heat wave that was truly unprecedented.
"According to Buisman’s recent findings, the year 1540 was one with an even more severe summer than was 2003. All over Europe, the heatwave lasted, off and on, for seven months, with parched fields and dried up rivers, such as the Rhine. People in Paris, France could walk on the river bed of the Seine without getting their feet wet."
h/t: Science & Policy Organization