
Deadly temperatures blasted western Europe in hot June
Dangerous temperatures stretched into July, with separate research estimating that climate change made the heat up to 4C hotter, pushing the thermometer into deadly territory for thousands of vulnerable people and greatly worsening the projected death toll. Millions of people were exposed to high heat stress as daily average temperatures in western Europe climbed to levels rarely seen before — and never so early in the summer.
Several countries recorded surface temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), with heat of up to 46C (114.8F) in Spain and Portugal, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said.
'In a warming world, heatwaves are likely to become more frequent, more intense and impact more people across Europe,' said Samantha Burgess, the EU monitor's Strategic Lead for Climate. The two heatwaves, in mid and late June, were linked to heat domes trapping warm air over affected regions and worsening pollution and wildfire conditions. France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and much of the Balkans saw some of the hottest 'feels-like' temperatures, which measure the impact on the human body by taking into account factors such as humidity. Maximum feels-like temperatures north of Lisbon hit 48C (118.4F), about 7C above average and associated with 'extreme heat stress', said Copernicus.
Large parts of southern Europe also experienced so-called 'tropical nights', when overnight temperatures don't fall low enough to let the body recover.
Heatwaves are particularly dangerous for the elderly, the sick, young children, outdoor workers, and anyone exposed to high temperatures for prolonged periods without relief. In separate research Wednesday, scientists drawing on historical weather data concluded the heat between June 23 and July 2 'would have been 2-4C cooler' without human-induced climate change in all but one of the 12 cities studied. They also for the first time sought to estimate how many people may have died, concluding that there may have been some 2,300 heat-related deaths over that period in the cities studied. Around two thirds of those, or 1,500, would not have happened without climate change, said the researchers, stressing that their estimate was just a snapshot of the wider heatwave. — AFP
No official death toll is yet available, and the study has not been peer reviewed. 'An increase in heatwave temperature of just two or four degrees can mean the difference between life and death for thousands of people,' said Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, a lecturer at Imperial College London.
'This is why heatwaves are known as silent killers. Most heat-related deaths occur in homes and hospitals out of public view and are rarely reported,' he told reporters.
Burgess said the impact of the heatwaves in Europe was intensified by record sea surface temperatures in the western Mediterranean. They hit an all-time daily maximum in June. Sea surface temperatures across the western Mediterranean were 'exceptionally high' in the month, some 5C above average in some areas. Temperatures surged to a record 27C on June 30, Copernicus said.
The higher water temperatures reduced nighttime air cooling along the coasts, contributed to higher humidity, and harmed marine life. An AFP analysis based on Copernicus data, found that 12 countries and some 790 million people around the world experienced record heat last month.
Dangerous heat blanketed parts of the United States, while in China, 102 weather stations logged the hottest-ever June day. Some measuring temperatures above 40C, according to state media.
June saw a catalogue of weather extremes across the world. Devastating wildfires blazed across parts of Canada and southern Europe, while deadly flooding swept areas of South Africa, China and Pakistan.
The Copernicus dataset, drawing on billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations, has recorded relentlessly rising temperatures as the planet warms as a result of humanity's emissions of greenhouse gases. Globally, last month was the third warmest June on record. The hottest June was in 2024 and the second hottest was in 2023, Copernicus said. While the recent blistering heat streak was partly stoked by warmer El Nino conditions, temperatures have remained at record or near-record levels even after that faded last year. – AFP
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait to face blistering weekend with highs near 49°C
KUWAIT CITY, July 24: Kuwait is expected to witness very hot weather during the day and hot to warm conditions at night over the weekend, according to the Meteorological Department. In a statement on Thursday, meteorologist Abdulaziz Al-Ali said the country will be under the influence of an extension of the Indian monsoon depression, accompanied by an intense hot air mass. This system will bring northwesterly to variable winds, generally light to moderate in speed, but occasionally active, especially in open areas where dust may be stirred. Scattered clouds are also expected across the country. Thursday forecast: Al-Ali said Thursday's daytime weather will be very hot, with northwesterly to variable winds ranging between 12 and 42 kilometers per hour. The maximum temperature is forecast between 47 and 49 degrees Celsius. Sea conditions will be light to moderate with wave heights between 2 and 6 feet. At night, the weather will remain hot, with wind speeds between 10 and 32 kilometers per hour. Scattered clouds may continue to appear, with minimum temperatures ranging between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius. The sea will remain light to moderate with waves between 1 and 4 feet. Friday outlook: Friday is expected to be very hot and relatively humid along coastal areas, Al-Ali said. Winds will shift from northwesterly to northeasterly, light to moderate in speed between 10 and 30 kilometers per hour, accompanied by high clouds. Maximum temperatures will range from 46 to 48 degrees Celsius, and sea conditions will be light to moderate with wave heights between 1 and 4 feet. By night, temperatures will remain high with continued humidity along the coast. Winds will be variable, turning northwesterly at 6 to 26 kilometers per hour. The minimum temperature will range between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius, with sea waves between 1 and 3 feet. Saturday forecast: Saturday will bring another day of extreme heat and coastal humidity. Winds will be variable, turning easterly at light to moderate speeds ranging from 8 to 32 kilometers per hour. High clouds are expected, and maximum temperatures will remain between 46 and 48 degrees Celsius. The sea will be light to moderate with wave heights between 1 and 4 feet. Saturday night will continue the pattern of hot and humid weather in coastal areas, with winds shifting to northwesterly between 6 and 28 kilometers per hour. The expected minimum temperature will range between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius, and the sea will remain light to moderate with waves between 1 and 3 feet.


Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Iran's public sector shuts down in 8 provinces due to the heatwave
TEHRAN, Iran, July 24, (AP): A government-ordered public shutdown in some areas of Iran took place on Wednesday due to a scorching heatwave that has seen temperatures soar past 40 degrees Celsius (104 F), straining the power grid Tehran's public offices and banks closed, but for many private shopkeepers it was another day of work despite the punishing temperatures. The official holiday for public sector employees in eight of Iran's 31 provinces, including the capital, Tehran, was declared to save electricity. The move, however, split the city into two realities - one of silent, shuttered government buildings, and another where the hum of air conditioners in private shops and shopping centers signaled business as usual. For many other residents, the unexpected holiday provided a welcome escape. With Thursday already part of the traditional weekend in Iran, the closure prompted an exodus from the capital. Iranian media reported that roads leading north to the Caspian Sea coast were choked with traffic as people fled for the milder climates of Mazandaran and Gilan provinces. Dealing with extreme summer heat through government shutdowns is becoming a familiar strategy for Iran, which implemented a two-day closure in 2023 and a similar one-day holiday in July 2024 to cope with the impact of heat on its infrastructure. Even as authorities advised people to remain indoors, the heat has been more gruelling in other regions. The southern city of Borazjan recorded a staggering 50 °C (122 F) last Sunday.


Arab Times
3 days ago
- Arab Times
Major forest fire in Greece forces several villages to evacuate
ATHENS, Greece, July 23, (AP): A major forest fire broke out near the Greek city of Corinth on Tuesday, prompting authorities to order the evacuation of several villages. More than 180 firefighters, 15 planes and 12 helicopters were tackling the wildfire in a pine forest in the mountains near Corinth, the fire department said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Weather conditions were particularly tough for firefighters. Temperatures have risen to around 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in many parts of the country. Earlier Tuesday, a firefighting helicopter crashed into the sea and sank while attempting to take on water to tackle a separate fire near Athens. The three crew were rescued and transported to a hospital. Wildfires are frequent in Greece during its hot, dry summers, and the fire department has tackled dozens across the country this year. In 2018, a massive fire swept through the seaside town of Mati, east of Athens, trapping people in homes and on roads as they tried to flee. More than 100 died, including some who drowned while trying to swim away.