Japan and South Korea are feeling the heat this summer, breaking records for warm weather. Both countries just experienced their hottest June ever, and they are on track for a scorching July too.
In Japan, the temperature soared to a staggering 41.2°C in Tamba, breaking the previous record set in 2020. On the same day, 39 other places, including Kyoto, saw record-high temperatures. In fact, almost a third of weather stations reported highs above 35°C. This surge marks the third consecutive year of rising July temperatures, now averaging 2.89°C higher than the historical norm from 1991 to 2020.
South Korea isn’t faring any better. In Seoul, the city recorded a staggering 22 consecutive “tropical nights,” where temperatures stayed above 25°C overnight. Recently, the minimum temperature even hit 29.3°C.
As August approaches—typically the hottest month for both countries—concerns are growing about what lies ahead. Fortunately, forecasts indicate a slight cooling trend by the weekend. However, models suggest that elevated temperatures will likely continue into late August and September. Interestingly, the summers of 2023 and 2024 are tied as the warmest recorded in Japan, while 2024 was among South Korea’s hottest years, raising worries that these records could fall again.
Switching gears to Australia, the weather has been markedly different. Early August brought unseasonably wet and cool conditions to eastern Australia. A series of low-pressure systems have dumped 100-200mm of rain in New South Wales—double the average for this time of year. This moist air, colliding with cold air from the south, resulted in significant snowfall in higher areas, with some regions receiving up to 40cm. This is the heaviest snowfall seen in about 20 years.
While the weather caused disruptions—over 27,000 homes lost power, and many vehicles got stuck—the snow also brought joy. People traveled from far and wide to experience this rare phenomenon, with some seeing snow for the very first time.
Experts are increasingly concerned about the climate crisis and how extreme weather events are becoming more common. The World Meteorological Organization notes that the frequency of heatwaves has increased. In fact, data shows that extreme temperatures have contributed to a rise in health issues, highlight the urgency of addressing climate change.
Understanding these shifting patterns in global weather can help us prepare better for the future, whether it’s extreme heat in Asia or unexpected snow in Australia. Keeping track of these changes is crucial for adapting and finding solutions.
Source link
