Heatwave in Europe: what is it and what causes it?

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Heat waves are getting stronger in Europe. All major Italian cities are on “red” alert level. Wildfires are burning forests across the continent. What causes such an extreme heatwave?

Europe is currently facing its most extreme heat wave ever, with temperatures far above average. Temperatures have reached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some parts of the continent, and there are concerns that the heatwave could have serious consequences for human health, the environment and infrastructure. The European Space Agency (ESA) has forecast that temperatures of 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) will hit the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

Health authorities have warned people in Europe, North America and Asia to avoid intense sun and stay hydrated. For the first time, the UK Meteorological Office has issued a ‘red’ heat warning, the highest level of heat warning, for Manchester, London and other parts of the UK. France has also issued a ‘red’ warning with moderate temperatures forecast to reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Due to record temperatures, terrible wildfires have been recorded across Europe. In addition, roads and power lines melted and rails bent.

Photo: AFP

Recent trends in worldwide temperature change

Jennifer Francis, a senior scientist at the Woodwell Center for Climate Research told CNN that these current temperatures are “almost certainly” the hottest the planet has seen in “probably at least 100,000 years.” .

Based on data from the NOAA Center for Environmental Information, the heat map below shows that most of the planet is warming. See trends in the planet’s average global surface temperature from 1993 to 2022 below.

Extreme heat waves are one of the biggest causes of weather-related deaths worldwide. Learn what a heat wave is and what causes it, the effects of temperature change, and how to mitigate the challenges posed by rising temperatures.

What is heat wave?

A heatwave is a period of unusually hot weather that lasts for several days. Heat waves can occur at any time of the year, but they are most common during the summer months. Heat waves can be caused by a number of factors, including high pressure systems, warm ocean currents, and changes in jet currents.

What caused the extreme heatwave across Europe?

The latest heatwave event in Europe is thought to be caused by a phenomenon known as ‘severe low point’ caused when a low-pressure system cuts off from the rest of the jet stream, causing prolonged heatwaves in a particular area.

Dr Malcolm Mistry, assistant professor of climate and geospatial modeling, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: “Currently, the jet stream from North America to Europe is trapped in a position near the south of the English Channel in a U-shaped trough and the crest of this wave is in the south of Great Britain.

“To the north of the jet stream we have colder arctic air and areas of low pressure which in turn bring rains to the UK.

“South of the jet stream, we have the opposite weather pattern with a stalled high-pressure system pulling in hot air from North Africa and maintaining hot, dry conditions.

Image: BBC

The main cause of heat waves or temperature changes

Key factors driving temperature change in the US and Europe, such as greenhouse gas emissions and land use change.

Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London and co-leader of the World Association of Weather Allocations for Extreme Weather Research, said: “Greenhouse gas emissions from burning fuels Fossils like coal, gas and oil are making heat waves hotter, longer and more frequent.”

Here are some causes of heat waves:

High-pressure systems: Heat waves are often caused by high-pressure systems. These systems are areas of high atmospheric pressure that causes the air to sink. As the air sinks, it heats up.

Warm ocean currents: Heat waves can also be caused by warm ocean currents. These currents can bring warm water to the surface, which can then evaporate and warm the air.

Changes in the jet stream: The jet stream is a belt of strong winds blowing high in the atmosphere. Changes in jet stream can cause warm air to be trapped in certain areas, which can lead to heat waves.

Climate change: Climate change is also a factor that can contribute to heat waves. As Earth’s atmosphere warms, it can hold more moisture. This moisture can then evaporate and cause the air to heat up.

It is important to note that heat waves can be caused by a combination of factors. For example, heat waves caused by high-pressure systems can be exacerbated by warm ocean currents or changes in jet currents.

The effect of temperature change

The impact of the temperature change on Europe has already been felt and it is expected to be even more pronounced in the future.

Earth’s climate has changed over millions of years, but the rate of change in recent decades has been unprecedented. This is because human activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing the planet to heat up.

Some of the most serious effects include:

Heatwaves: Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, more intense and pose a serious threat to human health.

Increased levels of ozone pollution: Heatwaves increase ozone pollution levels because they cause more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to be released into the atmosphere. These VOCs react with sunlight to form ozone, a harmful pollutant.

Drought: Droughts are becoming more frequent and depleting rivers, lakes and aquifers. This has devastating effects on agriculture and ecosystems.

Floods: Floods are becoming increasingly severe and cause extensive damage to property and infrastructure.

Wildfires: Wildfires are becoming more frequent and more destructive as dry conditions and heat waves create the perfect conditions for fires to break out and spread.

Sea level rise: Sea levels are rising and this threatens coastal communities around the world.

Loss of biodiversity: Changes in temperature cause the extinction of plant and animal species.

Changes in agricultural output: As temperatures rise, yields are expected to decline in some areas. This can lead to food shortages and higher prices.

Spread of disease: Higher temperatures allow mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects to spread to new areas. This increases the risk of diseases such as malaria, dengue and yellow fever.

Damage to Infrastructure: Higher temperatures cause roads, bridges, and other infrastructure to deteriorate faster. This can lead to costly and disruptive repairs.

Economic Loss: The impact of temperature changes is expected to have a significant economic impact. This can lead to job losses, business closures and increased insurance costs.

The way forward: Mitigation

Earth’s temperature has increased by an average of 0.14°F (0.08°C) per decade since 1880, or about 2°F overall, according to NOAA’s climate centers.

Heat waves are becoming more frequent, more intense and pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. The consequences of the heatwave have been felt around the world and are expected to become even more severe in the future.

The European heatwave of 2023 is a powerful reminder of the dangers of climate change. A heat wave severely affects human health, the environment and infrastructure. It is important to take measures to mitigate and adapt to the effects of temperature change to protect Europe from the worst effects of climate change.

There are several things that can be done to mitigate and adapt to the impact of heat waves. Some of these measures include:

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: This is the single most important step that can be taken to mitigate climate change, the main cause of heat waves.

Build more resilient infrastructure: This includes measures such as increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and providing shade in public spaces.

Educate the public about the risks of heatwaves: This will help people stay safe during heatwaves and take steps to reduce their risk of heat-related illnesses.

Provide cooling centers: this is where people can cool off during a heat wave. Cooling centers can be installed in public buildings, such as libraries and community centers.

Monitor air quality: Air quality can worsen during heat waves, so it’s important to monitor air quality and take steps to protect yourself if it’s poor. .

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Categories: Trends
Source: vcmp.edu.vn