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Dangerous Heat Waves Around the World

Around the world, people are struggling to deal with dangerous heat waves. In many places, the temperatures are far above normal for this time of year, and governments are working hard to protect their people from the worst effects of the heat.

Massive Heat Wave Covers Much of the United States

The US National Weather Service (NWS) says that over 100 million Americans are currently being affected by dangerous temperatures. The NWS has encouraged people in these areas to stay indoors if they don’t need to go out.

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The heat wave began over the weekend in the West and Southwest. Places like Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado saw temperatures higher than 100º Fahrenheit (38º Celsius). Above, a school sign in El Centro, California shows a temperature of 114ºF (45.6ºC) on Sunday.

The heat wave began over the weekend in the West and Southwest. Places like Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado saw temperatures higher than 100º Fahrenheit (F) (38º Celsius (C)). The New York Times reports that 27 areas matched or beat their highest temperatures ever.

That heat wave has now moved east, and states across the central US to the Atlantic coast are baking in extremely high temperatures. Southern states are being hit hard, but even states as far north as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are affected.

Governments in many large cities have set up “cooling centers” to give people a place to escape the high temperatures.

A colored map of the US, showing temperatures for June 14, 2022.
The heat wave has now moved east, and states across the central US to the Atlantic coast are baking in extremely high temperatures. The map above uses colors to show temperatures across the US on Tuesday. Yellow is 90ºF (32ºC). Orange and red are even hotter.
(Source: Weather.gov.)
 

Extreme Heat in Spain, France, and Portugal

Some countries in Europe are facing their second heat wave so far this year. In May, temperatures in Spain and France set records. In some parts of southern France, the average temperature last month was 31ºF (17ºC) hotter than normal.

Now another heat wave has struck, long before mid-summer, when hot weather is much more common. Currently, Spain, France, and Portugal are the countries most affected.

In recent days, some areas of Spain have gotten as hot as 109ºF (43ºC). Spain hasn’t seen temperatures this high in early June in 20 years or more. Spain’s weather office says that summer now seems to be starting about a month earlier than it did just 50 years ago.

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In recent days, some areas of Spain have gotten as hot as 109ºF (43ºC). Spain hasn’t seen temperatures this high in early June in 20 years or more. Above, people in Seville cool off in a fountain on Monday.

Some areas aren’t only facing extreme heat, but also a lack of rain. Many regions in France have been forced to limit water use. In Portugal, 97% of the country is considered to be in “extreme drought”. 

Heat Wave After Heat Wave in India and Pakistan

India and Pakistan have been suffering from heat waves since March. India’s capital, New Delhi has gone through six heat waves, with the worst temperatures reaching 120ºF (49ºC).

Much of India has now cooled off, but northern India and Pakistan are still struggling with high temperatures. On Monday, the temperature in New Delhi reached a high of 111ºF (43.7ºC). Delhi’s coolest temperature on Monday was 90ºF (31.6ºC).

Pakistan has seen similar temperatures. But the situation in Pakistan has been made worse by power cuts. Pakistan is suffering from a fuel shortage. That’s because Russia’s war on Ukraine has created a high demand for fuel worldwide.

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Pakistan has also had extremely high temperatures. But the situation in Pakistan has been made worse by power cuts caused by a fuel shortage. Above, people sleep on the street to escape the heat of their homes during a power cut in Karachi.

Pakistan’s lack of fuel has led to blackouts for up to 12 hours in places, meaning people are often unable to use fans or air conditioning to stay cool.

Rain is expected soon in both countries, which should cool things down. The rain will be welcome news for farmers, who have been struggling with extremely dry conditions.


Did You Know…?
It is too early to say what part the climate crisis  is playing in these heat waves. But in general, climate change is expected to make such heat waves more common, longer, and more severe.

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