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The Impact of Rising Temperatures: A Global Perspective on the Hottest Weather
Increasing Frequency of Hottest Summers in India
In India, the frequency of the hottest summers has significantly increased due to anthropogenic warming. Observations from the India Meteorological Department indicate that the mean maximum summer temperature has risen notably in three out of five major climatic regions between 1951 and 2015. The hottest summers recorded in these regions occurred in different years: 2010 for arid, cold, and temperate regions, 1979 for monsoon regions, and 1973 for savannah regions. Projections suggest that the probability of experiencing the hottest summer will increase more than seven-fold in a 2°C warmer world and twenty-fold in a 3°C warmer world, posing significant societal challenges1.
Extreme Heat in Australia
Australia has also experienced a dramatic increase in extreme heat events. The number of record hot days has doubled in the past 50 years, with heatwaves becoming hotter, longer, and more frequent. This trend is exacerbating the risk of bushfires and causing severe coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef. The year 2020 was the hottest on record globally, with average temperatures rising about 1°C above pre-industrial levels2.
Mega-Heatwaves in Europe
Europe has witnessed some of the most extreme heat events in recent history. The summer of 2010 was exceptionally warm, surpassing the previous record set in 2003. These "mega-heatwaves" have likely broken 500-year-long seasonal temperature records over approximately 50% of Europe. The probability of experiencing such extreme heat events is expected to increase by a factor of 5 to 10 within the next 40 years, although the likelihood of an event as extreme as 2010 remains low until the latter half of the 21st century3.
Rapid Warming of Hottest Days in North-West Europe
In North-West Europe, the hottest summer days are warming at approximately twice the rate of mean summer days. This unusual pattern, not well captured by climate models, is partly attributed to warm air advection from Iberia and North Africa, regions that are warming faster than North-West Europe. This differential warming highlights the need for further research to understand the drivers behind these trends4.
Identifying Extreme Heat in California's Central Valley
A pilot scheme in California's Central Valley uses upper air data to identify extreme hottest days. This method, which involves projecting composite patterns of upper-air variables onto daily weather maps, has shown promise in forecasting extreme surface temperatures. The scheme has been tested over several decades and captures about half of the rare extreme heat events, offering a valuable tool for predicting and managing heatwaves5.
Hottest and Coldest Places in the United States
In the United States, Death Valley, California, holds the record for the highest number of hottest days, while Stanley, Idaho, has the highest number of coldest days. Death Valley also has the highest mean July maximum temperature in the nation. These findings illustrate the variability in extreme temperatures across different regions and the importance of localized climate data6.
Global Hottest Spots
Globally, the hottest spot on Earth has been a subject of interest and debate. Death Valley, California, held the world record air temperature of 56.7°C from 1913 to 1922, until it was surpassed by El Azizia, Libya, with a temperature of 58.0°C in 1922. Recent advancements in satellite-based measurements have provided a more comprehensive understanding of global temperature extremes, highlighting the need for accurate and widespread data collection7.
Urban Heat Island Effect During Hot Weather
The urban heat island (UHI) effect, where cities exhibit higher temperatures than their rural surroundings, shows contrasting changes during hot weather episodes. In Berlin, Germany, night-time UHI intensity is exacerbated when hot weather episodes are identified via daytime conditions or night-time conditions at inner-city sites. Conversely, night-time UHI intensity is reduced when identified via night-time conditions at rural sites. These variations are influenced by factors such as radiation, cloud cover, wind speed, precipitation, and humidity, underscoring the complex interplay between urbanization and climate change8.
Conclusion
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events globally underscore the urgent need for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change. From India to Australia, Europe, and the United States, rising temperatures pose significant challenges to public health, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Understanding and addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that includes accurate data collection, predictive modeling, and targeted policy interventions.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
A seven-fold rise in the probability of exceeding the observed hottest summer in India in a 2 °C warmer world
In a 2°C warmer world, the probability of exceeding the observed hottest summer in India increases by more than seven-fold, posing great societal challenges.
Extreme heat threatens the health of Australians
Australians face increased risks of heatwaves, bushfires, and coral bleaching due to global warming, with record high temperatures and increased risk of extreme heat events doubling in the past 50 years.
The Hot Summer of 2010: Redrawing the Temperature Record Map of Europe
The 2010 summer heat wave in eastern Europe and Russia broke 500-year-old seasonal temperature records, with the likelihood of such events increasing by 5-10 times within 40 years.
Highly CitedNorth‐West Europe Hottest Days Are Warming Twice as Fast as Mean Summer Days
The hottest summer days in North-West Europe are warming twice as fast as mean summer days, likely due to warm advection from Iberia and North Africa.
Identifying extreme hottest days from large scale upper air data: a pilot scheme to find California Central Valley summertime maximum surface temperatures
The pilot scheme using upper air data from extreme hottest days in the California Central Valley effectively forecasts extreme surface temperatures, outperforming simple 850 hPa temperature above the CV.
The Hottest and Coldest Places in the Conterminous United States
There is no single place in the conterminous United States that can claim to be the hottest or coldest, as temperatures vary depending on climate measure used.
Where are the hottest spots on Earth
The hottest spot on Earth is likely to be a hotspot in the tropics, with temperatures reaching up to 58°C in some areas.
Contrasting changes of urban heat island intensity during hot weather episodes
Urban heat island intensity is exacerbated during hot weather episodes in cities, while it is reduced in rural areas, with weather conditions playing a key role in urban heat island changes.
Climate and COVID-19 pandemic: effect of heat and humidity on the incidence and mortality in world's top ten hottest and top ten coldest countries.
Countries with high temperatures and low humidity experienced a significant decrease in COVID-19 daily cases and deaths compared to those with low temperatures and high humidity.
Observational Study