This is the 734th most frequent Korean word.
올해는
"This year."
In this sentence, '올해는' is used to mark 'this year' as the time frame being described, specifically of the unusually hot summer.
올해는 유난히 더운 여름이었어요.
This year had an unusually hot summer.
Here, '올해는' is used to emphasize 'this year' as distinct from other times, placing focus on the year's planned activities.
올해는 많은 행사를 계획하고 있어요.
This year, I am planning many events.
Here, '올해는' expresses the speaker's definitive intention to achieve a goal within the current year.