Extreme heat waves continue around the world.
According to comprehensive reports such as the BBC and Agence France-Presse, there was a 45°C high temperature in many places in Europe, and the United States is expected to soar to 55°C this Sunday, "equaling or breaking the record for the hottest temperature reliably measured on Earth."
Meteorologists predict that Italian temperatures could climb to 49°C in the coming days, which would be the highest temperatures ever recorded in Europe.
In addition, the United States announced a "National Heat Strategy," and the U.S. weather service has issued dangerous temperature warnings to about one-third of the U.S. population.
A woman cools off at a fountain in Piazza di Spagna in Rome, Italy, July 10. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Ma Mengni
High temperatures rag, the United States announced the "National Anti-heat Strategy"
On Friday, a third of the U.S. population received a heat alert, and hundreds of temperature records were set from coast to coast.
On July 16, local time, Death Valley National Park in the western United States may break the global high temperature record ever. According to the National Weather Service, the local area will reach 54.4°C-55.6°C by the end of the week, which "equals or breaks the record for the hottest temperature reliably measured on Earth."
According to AFP, a heat wave has raged over the desert states of the southwestern United States since last week. Arizona is one of the most affected states, according to the National Weather Service, the state's capital Phoenix exceeded 43°C for the 15th consecutive day on the 14th. Emergency workers are treating patients with second-degree burns due to sidewalks above 71°C.
Authorities have sounded the alarm for days, advising Americans to avoid outdoor activities during the day and watch for signs of dehydration, which can quickly be fatal in such temperatures. Meteorologists have warned that the "strongest period" of the heat wave will begin this weekend.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said choking temperatures killed 10 migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border over the weekend.
Taking advantage of the current heat wave, the White House announced on July 11 a "National Heat Strategy." "Millions of Americans are affected by extreme heat waves, which are increasing in intensity, frequency and duration due to climate change," US President Joe Biden said in a statement. ”
In the United States, meteorologists have not yet predicted a respite. Temperatures in the southern United States are still expected to be unusually high this week.
A heat wave has swept through Europe, with Italy expecting a maximum temperature of 49°C
A heatwave named Cerberus is currently sweeping across the continent, with much of Europe breaking temperature records this week, 5°C to 10°C above average, according to the BBC. As the heatwave continues, Southern and Eastern Europe will continue to experience record-breaking heat. Temperatures in Sardinia and Sicily, Italy, will reportedly climb to 49°C in the coming days, which would be "the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe."
According to the report, 16 Italian cities including Rome, Bologna and Florence have issued red alerts for extreme heat. Since last Friday, temperatures in parts of the European Mediterranean have climbed to 45°C. Meanwhile, Spain became the hottest country in Europe this week, with a total of 13 regions now flagged as extreme risk (red alert), major risk (orange alert) and risk (yellow alert). Spain's Meteorological Service said temperatures in the southeastern region of the Iberian Peninsula could reach 45°C. Satellite data shows that the ground temperature in parts of Spain has exceeded 60°C in this deadly heat wave that has swept Europe, so much so that the heat map marked in red has turned black.
People cool off in a natural swimming pool in Cáceres, Spain, July 9. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Gustavo Baliente)
In addition to Italy and Spain, the European Space Agency said on the 13th that France, Germany and Poland will face a large-scale heat wave, and parts of northern Europe will also feel the heat wave. By the end of the week, temperatures in France will reach 37°C. The Czech Meteorological Service issued a warning that temperatures could exceed 38°C this weekend, well above the average temperature of 22°C at this time of year.
The persistent hot weather has raised concerns about the increase in heat deaths. According to a study released on the 10th, the extreme heat wave last summer caused 61,000 deaths in Europe. Older people, women and those living in the Mediterranean are the most affected. Last Tuesday in the town of Lodi, outside Milan, Italy, a 44-year-old worker died from outdoor heat work, the first case in Europe this year to die from heat.
It is predicted that the extreme heat wave caused by the "cerberus" will last for about two weeks in the Mediterranean. However, Europe's extreme heat wave will not end there. Italian weather forecasters warned that after the "Cerberus", the next heat wave "Charon" will follow, and more hot weather is expected in Europe next week, with temperatures climbing above 40 degrees Celsius. "Temperatures will peak between July 19 and 23 – not only in Italy, but also in Greece, Turkey and the Balkans." Italian meteorologist and climate expert Giulio Betty told the BBC: "Some high temperature records in these areas could be broken. ”
"Summer without strong and persistent heat waves is gone"
Not only in the United States and Europe, but also in the heat wave scorching millions of people in the Middle East, southeastern Turkey, North Africa and more.
Last Saturday (July 15), local time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital due to dehydration. Netanyahu's office said he had spent a hot day the day before in Israel's northern resort of the Sea of Galilee, and after a series of tests, he was initially assessed as unwell due to dehydration, though his health assessment was "in good condition."
Israel is currently in the midst of a heat wave with temperatures as high as 35°C.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), after the hottest June on record, the world ushered in the "hottest week in 100,000 years" earlier this month. The agency also warned that there is a 90 percent chance that El Niño will recur in seven years and will continue at moderate or higher intensity until the end of the year, pushing several regions of the world to break new average temperature records, and heat waves and storms will become more intense.
Betty said summers in Europe have become hotterer in recent years. "What we should be worried about is that the summer without strong and sustained heat waves is gone." Normal' summers have become rare. ”
Beijing News reporter Yao Yuan
Edited by Zhang Lei Proofread by Lijun Li