Europe is in the grips of an intense heatwave, breaking records across several countries under a strong area of high pressure known as a “heat dome.” For instance, the UK saw temperatures soar to 35.1°C at Kew Gardens in London on Tuesday, surpassing the previous day’s record of 34.8°C. This is a significant jump from the old May record of 32.8°C set way back in 1922 and matched in 1944.
Ireland is also feeling the heat, recording 28.8°C in Killarney and Clonmel. Nighttime temperatures aren’t letting up either; Camborne, in the south-west of England, registered a warm 21.4°C overnight, marking another tropical night when temperatures stay above 20°C.
France has joined in on the record-breaking trend, with temperatures hitting 36°C on Monday and Tuesday. Sadly, the heat has been linked to the deaths of seven people in the country, according to a government spokesperson.
What’s alarming is that many of these temperatures are around 10-15°C higher than the average for this time of year. While the UK might see a slight cooldown, temperatures will still be 5-10°C above normal for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, southeast and eastern Australia are experiencing severe thunderstorms. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings, predicting damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and hail, with flash flood warnings in effect. For instance, Dayboro in Queensland recorded a staggering 50mm of rain in just 30 minutes, while Narrabri in New South Wales saw wind gusts reaching 65mph (104kph).
The BoM warns that rainfall totals could reach 40-70mm, and potentially 100mm in some areas by week’s end.
This weather has sparked conversations on social media, with users sharing images of unusual weather patterns and expressing concern about climate change. Experts emphasize that the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events may be linked to global warming. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the last decade was the hottest on record, highlighting a troubling trend.
As Europe and Australia grapple with these extremes, it’s a stark reminder of our changing climate. Keeping an eye on weather forecasts and being prepared for these conditions can make a significant difference. For more on climate impacts and statistics, you can check the NOAA’s reports here.
