Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather has taken to social media to share insights about Europe’s changing climate. His followers have gone from asking about a rainy day in Spain to worrying about extreme heat. This summer, temperatures in Ireland have been pretty normal, but just across the water, places like Spain and southeast England are sweltering at around 35 degrees.
O’Reilly has noted a significant shift. “Seeing 40 degrees in June is quite rare,” he said, emphasizing the unusual nature of these spikes. People are feeling the heat, with many sharing their struggles on social media, saying they had to stay indoors due to extreme weather—particularly concerning for families with kids. While these stories are personal, climate models suggest the UK might soon experience similar extremes.
Notably, Ireland enjoyed the sunniest May on record, but that didn’t last all summer. Factors like the “Azores high” pressure system, usually a blessing for Irish summers, didn’t align perfectly this year. Ireland was mostly shielded from the intense heat affecting much of Europe, although warmer air did creep closer.
In July, Ireland recorded above-average temperatures, peaking at 31.1 degrees in Co. Roscommon. Globally, O’Reilly warns we’re nearing a tipping point. This level of heat, once thought impossible, is becoming a reality in parts of the UK. Warmer nights and longer growing seasons are changing the landscape in Ireland.
Southern Europe faced brutal heatwaves this summer, causing severe wildfires. In Spain alone, these fires took four lives and devastated nearly 400,000 hectares, an area bigger than Mallorca. France battled its largest wildfire in Aude, which consumed land equivalent to Paris. A shocking report indicated that nearly a million hectares have burned across Europe this year.
Experts warn that this trend isn’t just a Mediterranean issue. Sadhbh O’Neill from the EU’s Joint Research Centre points out that the risk of wildfires throughout Europe is rising rapidly, with the potential for a tenfold increase in extreme fires. Clare O’Connor, from Friends of the Earth, emphasizes the deadly heat waves occurring more frequently. In June alone, over 2,300 deaths in 12 European cities were linked to extreme heat and climate change.
O’Connor highlights that Europe is the fastest-warming continent, affecting even mild countries like Ireland. She insists immediate government action is essential—stopping the growth of new data centers and ensuring affordable alternatives to fossil fuels for homes.
Despite this urgency, the European Commission is reportedly rolling back environmental protections under the guise of simplification. This move has sparked backlash, revealing political struggles as climate action slows down amid rising nationalism in Europe. Many advocate for a return to cooperative, science-led policymaking amid this dire landscape aggravated by corporate interests.
As the heat dome dissipates, countries brace for massive rainfall. Mediterranean regions may face violent storms, while Ireland prepares for a return to wet weather, likely affected by intense Atlantic hurricanes. It’s a vivid reminder that the climate crisis is a pressing issue that surpasses borders, demanding collective attention and action.
Source link
Carlow Weather,Europe heatwaves
