2023 heat waves

With a deviation of over 0.7 °C from the average of the years 1991 to 2020, July 2023 marks the warmest July ever recorded. Numerous regions in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in southern Europe, went through severe heatwaves, with anomalies of +4 °C in Italy, Greece, and Spain. Additionally, North Africa and the Canadian Arctic saw notably high temperatures, reaching peak anomalies of +5 °C and +7 °C, respectively. More detailed information can be found in the C3S Climate Bulletin.

A number of heat waves began across parts of the northern hemisphere in April 2023, many of which are ongoing. Various heat records have been broken,[1] with July being the hottest month ever recorded.[2]

Scientists have attributed the heat waves to man-made climate change.[1][2] Another cause is the El Niño phenomena which began to develop in 2023.[3] However, recent findings show that climate change is exacerbating the strength of El Niño.[4]

The heatwaves caused severe damage in areas such as the western United States, southern Europe, and parts of Asia.[5] The abnormal temperatures have led to a "very extreme" likelihood of wildfires, according to the Fire Weather Index.[6]

The heatwaves were also occurring alongside some unusually heavy flooding.[7][8]

In response to the heatwave some leaders called for greater action to stop climate change.[9] President of the United States Joe Biden has taken some measures to protect the population from extreme heat.[10][11]

  1. ^ a b "Extreme heat in North America, Europe and China in July 2023 made much more likely by climate change". World Weather Attribution. 25 July 2023. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b Thompson, Andrea (27 July 2023). "July 2023 Is Hottest Month Ever Recorded on Earth". Scientific American. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  3. ^ Sommer, Lauren (28 June 2023). "Global heat waves show climate change and El Niño are a bad combo". NPR. Archived from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  4. ^ Lewin, Dean (18 May 2023). "New study helps solve a 30-year-old puzzle: how is climate change affecting El Niño and La Niña?". The Conversation. Archived from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  5. ^ IGINI, MARTINA (4 August 2023). "More than 80% of People on Earth Experienced a Hotter July Triggered by Climate Change: Report". Earth.Org. Climate central. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  6. ^ "The European heatwave of July 2023 in a longer-term context". Copernicus. 20 July 2023. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  7. ^ McCrum, Kirstie (23 July 2023). "Six people rescued by firefighters as floodwater stops vehicles". LancsLive. Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  8. ^ "33 dead as heavy rain triggers floods and landslides in India's Himalayan region". Lancashire Telegraph. 14 August 2023. Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
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  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference White House was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Barbara was invoked but never defined (see the help page).