Deaths, disruptions across #Europe: What you should know about the #heatwave

Experts say the #ClimateCrisis is making Europe’s #heatwaves more frequent and more intense.

By Caolán Magee
Published On 24 Jun 202624 Jun 2026

Excerpt: "What is causing the heatwave?

"Meteorologists said the extreme temperatures are driven by a heat dome, a vast area of high pressure that has become parked over Western Europe.

"The phenomenon is being sustained by what is known as an omega block, a weather pattern named for the Greek letter because of the similar shape it creates in the atmosphere.

"Under normal conditions, the jet stream carries weather systems from west to east. During an omega block, however, that flow becomes distorted, trapping a ridge of high pressure between two low-pressure systems.

"The result is that hot, stagnant air remains locked over the same region for days or even weeks. The UK Met Office said Britain currently lies on the boundary between the high-pressure system and cooler air to the northwest, which is creating sharp contrasts between hotter conditions in the south and east and cooler, wetter weather farther north."

Read more:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/24/deaths-disruptions-across-europe-what-you-should-know-about-the-heatwave

#ExtremeHeat #ExtremeTemperatures #ClimateDiary #ClimateCrisis #ClimateChange #HeatDome #OmegaBlock #EuropeWx #ClimateDiaryEurope #RecordBreakingHeat

Record-breaking heat and dry spring leave parts of England without water
Thousands of households in southeast England were left without water or facing low pressure during a ‌record-breaking heat wave this week, as high demand followed a dry spring to expose the failings in Britain's aging infrastructure.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/england-drought-9.7216712?cmp=rss
Record-breaking heat and dry spring leave parts of England without water
Thousands of households in southeast England were left without water or facing low pressure during a ‌record-breaking heat wave this week, as high demand followed a dry spring to expose the failings in Britain's aging infrastructure.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/england-drought-9.7216712?cmp=rss

Record for hottest #May night broken in #UK, while daytime temperature could hit 35C

May 26, 2026

Summary

- The record for the hottest May day in the UK could be broken again, with lunchtime temperatures hitting 32.2C at #London's Heathrow

- On Monday, 34.8C in #KewGardens was recorded in south-west London - beating the previous May record, set in 1922 and 1944, by 2C

- Last night, the UK had the hottest night in May on record - with minimum temperatures of 21.3C in south London and 20.9C in Emley in West Yorkshire

- Three teenagers died in water on Monday, police say - in Warwickshire, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire, while a man in his 60s died in the sea in Cornwall after trying to help two relatives in difficulty

- Much of #England and #Wales are now in an official #heatwave - we answer: Why is it so hot? How do I stay cool? How unusual is this heat?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cz7220e44dgt

#UKWx #ClimateChange
#RecordBreakingHeat #England #Wales #Scotland #ClimateDiary

Hottest May day record broken again as temperature hits 35C in London

Today's 35C in Heathrow and Kew Gardens beats the record set yesterday of 34.8C (94.6F), also in south-west London.

BBC News

YIKES! 🥵 #UK records hottest ever May day as temperature climbs to 34.8°C [94°F] in west #London

24 May 2026

Summary

- The record for the UK's hottest May day has been broken, with temperatures reaching 34.8C in Kew Gardens in London

- This exceeds the previous highest May temperature by a full 2C, and the heat "would be exceptional in the UK even in mid summer, let alone in May", the Met Office says

- The hottest May day in Wales has also been recorded, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have had their hottest days of the year so far

- In England, amber heat health alerts are in place for many areas until Wednesday, while in Sussex and Kent, South East Water says "very high demand" has led to supply interruptions

- With the hot weather set to continue into Tuesday, here's some advice on how to stay cool and sleep in the heat, plus the health risks to be aware of"

Source:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1w24llvj48t

#UKWx #ClimateChange #RecordBreakingHeat #England #Wales #Scotland #ClimateDiary

Hottest May day ever recorded in UK as temperature soars to 34C in London

It's also the hottest May day recorded in Wales, the hottest day of the year so far in Scotland, and there have been highs of 25C in Northern Ireland.

BBC News

I'm pretty sure #PortlandME broke a record for highest temperature on 5/19. NWS temperature records seem to be down. Figures...

#DOGESucks #TrumpSucks #NWSCuts #ClimateChange #MaineWx #USWx #ExtremeTemperatures #RecordBreakingHeat #TemperatureRecords

#Japan marks highest-ever temperature of 41.2 C in #Hyogo

By Tomoko Otake, Jul 30, 2025

"Japan recorded the highest ever temperature of 41.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, beating the previous high of 41.1 C marked in 2018 and 2020. Authorities are strongly urging people to take precautions to avoid risks of heatstroke.

"The mercury hit the above-human temperature of 41.2 C in the city of Tanba, Hyogo Prefecture, at 14:39, while two cities — #Fukuchiyama in #Kyoto and #Nishiwaki in Hyogo — also recorded extremely high temperatures of 40.6 C and 40 C, respectively.

"Wednesday marked the first day this year that temperatures topping 40 C were recorded, according to NHK. Last year, the city of Mino, Gifu Prefecture, hit that mark on Aug. 16.

"As human-induced climate change drives extreme heat across Japan, the number of people taken to hospitals over heat-related illnesses had surged to 10,804 in the week through Sunday, a huge jump from 5,309 recorded the week before, according to the Fire Management Agency. By prefecture, Tokyo topped the list of such people, at 1,099, followed by Saitama’s 750 and Hokkaido’s 690.

"In Hokkaido, where many people are not acclimated to heat, the number was a significant increase from 247 recorded in the same week last year.

"The agency is urging people to use air conditioners and cooling fans properly and take fluids frequently.

"The ongoing heat wave is likely to continue for several more days. According to the Meteorological Agency, a Pacific high-pressure system will cover much of Japan from Saturday through Monday, bringing extreme heat to wide areas."

Source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/30/japan/hyogo-highest-temperature/

#ClimateChange #ExtremeWeather #ExtremeTemperatures #ClimateDiaryJapan #RecordBreakingHeat

Japan marks highest-ever temperature of 41.2 C in Hyogo

The mercury hit the above-human temperature of 41.2 C in the city of Tanba, Hyogo Prefecture, as authorities urged people to take precautions to avoid heatstroke.

The Japan Times

Heat indices could hit 120 as sweltering temperatures grip eastern half of US

More than 200 million people brace for sweltering conditions across the country.

By Kenton Gewecke, Kyle Reiman, and Bill Hutchinson

July 28, 2025, 2:29 PM

"Extreme heat warnings and watches are in effect from the Midwest to the Southeast with heat index temperatures expected between 108 and 116.

"More than 200 million people across from #SouthDakota to #Florida and up the #EastCoast to #Boston are on alert for widespread, dangerous heat on Monday and into the new work week, and parts of the Southeast could experience the brunt of the sweltering conditions.

"On average, nearly 2,000 Americans die from extreme heat each year, according to CDC data going back to 2020.

"The highest temperatures on Monday will be focused in the southeast, from the Carolinas to Florida, where extreme heat indices -- that is, what the temperatures feel like when humidity is factored in -- are forecast to be between 105 and 115 degrees.

"Parts of Mississippi and Louisiana are on alert for heat indices up to 120 degrees.

"#ExtremeHeat is also expected to continue on Monday and Tuesday in the Midwest, where over the weekend temperatures felt between 97 to 111 degrees from Lincoln, Nebraska, up into Minneapolis.

"Extreme heat warnings have been issued for large cities from Iowa to Florida, including New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Omaha, Des Moines, Savannah, Raleigh, Charleston and Sioux Falls. These areas could see feels-like temperatures between 110 to 115 degrees.

"The Northeast coast from Philadelphia to Boston, including New York City, is in store for multiple days of dangerous heat. Heat indices in the Northeast are forecast to make it feel like the mid-90s to 104 on Monday.

"In addition to the sweltering conditions, smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to continue to create hazy conditions in New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut. Over the weekend, smoke from those wildfires prompted an air-quality alert. Another plume of smoke could reach the I-95 corridor on Tuesday afternoon.

"Looking ahead to the work week, potentially life-threatening heat and humidity are expected to continue across the eastern half of the country through Wednesday. Major cities including St. Louis, Memphis, Charlotte, Savannah, Tampa and Jackson, Mississippi, are all likely all see actual temperatures in the upper 90s to low 100s.

"A prolonged heat wave is forecast for those regions as an abundance of tropical moisture settling in is expected to drive the feels-like temperatures up to between 105 to 115 degrees over multiple consecutive days.
Dangerous heat and humidity through Thursday.

"Nighttime and early mornings are not expected to provide relief from the sweltering conditions. Overnight and early morning lows are expected to fall only to the 70s or higher.

"Between Monday and Wednesday, large portions of the Southeast are expected to be under an extreme heat risk at a four-out-of-four level, including the cities of Atlanta, Charlotte, and Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida.

"On Sunday, #TampaFL, broke an all-time heat record -- reaching 100 degrees for the first time in 130 years of record-keeping.

"Besides the extreme heat, parts of the Midwest, including South Dakota and western Minnesota, are expecting potentially destructive winds of more than 75 mph on Monday evening. A few severe storms are also expected to roll through North Dakota on Monday evening and spread into Minnesota and Iowa on Monday night."

https://abcnews.go.com/US/130-million-people-brace-sweltering-conditions-us/story?id=124112918

#ClimateDiary #ClimateDiaryUS #ExtremeHeat #ClimateChange #Derecho #ExtremeWeather #USWx #ExtremeWx #RecordBreakingHeat

More than 130 million people brace for sweltering conditions across most of the US

It's expected to feel as hot as 116 degrees in Savannah, Georgia.

ABC News

#USWeather: Over 2,800 #HighTemperature records set during #HeatWave

A week-long heat wave set over 2,800 record high temperatures in towns across the nation, with some spots measuring their hottest June or all-time temperatures.

By Jesse Ferrell & Brian Lada
Published Jun 23, 2025

"A total of 955 daily high temperature records and 1,899 daily high minimum (warm night) records were tied or broken during the last week's heat wave.

"Records dating back to the 1800s were shattered as an early-summer heat wave roasted large areas of the central and eastern United States. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures blew past the 100-degree mark, air conditioners were on full blast, and cities opened cooling centers to help people cope with the intense heat.

" 'This is an incredibly hot and steamy heat wave for the month of June,' AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

Tuesday's heat breaks 137-year-old record

"The heat wave peaked on Tuesday, and it wasn't just the hottest day of 2025, but the hottest weather many residents in the Northeast have experienced in over a decade.

"The mercury soared to 102 degrees in Boston on Tuesday afternoon, making it the hottest day in the city since July 22, 2011, when it reached 103. Philadelphia also notched its first 100-degree day since July 18, 2012.

"In New York City, the temperature fell just shy of hitting triple digits, but the high of 99 degrees was still enough to beat the previous daily record for the date, surpassing the high of 96 degrees set on June 24, 1888. Some areas not far from Central Park, where the official weather observations for the city are taken, did manage to hit 100 degrees, including Newark (103) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (102).

"Other cities across the region that reached 100 F on Tuesday afternoon include Hartford, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island; Wilmington and Dover, Delaware; and Manchester, New Hampshire.

"Monthly and hourly records were also set

"Illustrating how unusual and early the heat wave was, a thermometer in #AugustaME, recorded 100 degrees, tying their all-time record high set on Aug. 5, 1955. It joined 13 other stations where the temperature had never been recorded hotter.

"Many cities had never been as hot in June as they were Tuesday. Stations reporting their hottest June temperatures on record include #NewarkNJ, at 103 (tied); #NewYorkCity (Kennedy & LaGuardia at 102 and 101, a tie); Islip, New York at 101; Portland and #BangorME, at 99 and 98, a tie; and Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, at 93, recorded on Monday. A total of 90 stations set June records.

"The heat came early in the day, with #Philadelphia setting or tying new hourly record highs for 9 a.m., 7 a.m., and 5 a.m., and New York City (JFK Airport) notching new or tied extreme highs at 3 a.m., 8 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5 p.m, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. For June, Philadelphia's hourly temperatures had never been higher for all but two hours of the day.

Monday's records

"The first full week of astronomical summer wasted no time warming up, with many thermometers across the region reaching levels they haven't hit in years.

"#Baltimore's Inner Harbor was one of the hottest spots on Monday, with a high of 104 F. The high humidity and strong summer sun made it dangerously hot outside, with the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperature topping out at 113 degrees. To put this heat into perspective, 113 degrees is the historical average high temperature in Death Valley in mid-June.

"#NewarkNJ, reached 101 degrees, breaking its daily record of 99, and #RaleighNC, tied its daily record of 100, set last year.

"Although other weather stations broke records, they were all below 100 degrees. Most notably, the temperature at Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, rose to 93 degrees, breaking the daily record and setting June's highest reading. This was the first 90-degree day at Mount Pocono since 2013.

Sunday's records

"On Sunday, three weather stations broke the high temperature records for the date. Alpena, Michigan, hit 97 degrees Fahrenheit, breaking the previous record of 93 set in 1975. In #ValleyNE, the mercury pushed up to 94 degrees, breaking the old record of 91 from 2023. And in #MarquetteMI, the old record of 90 degrees, on this date in 1995, was smashed by a reading of 93.

"But it wasn't just daily record highs. Records for warm nights were also broken at breakneck speed. Saturday night tied the all-time high minimum historical record for Green Bay, Wisconsin, at 79 degrees, previously achieved in July 4, 1897, and July 30, 1916. Wausau, Wisconsin, didn't cool below 78 degrees, which had previously happened only on July 4, 1999. The fact that these records were previously recorded in July is an indicator of how early this severe heat wave is.

"Record warm nights for June were also set at La Crosse, Wisconsin, (80 degrees) and Mason City, Iowa, (77 degrees) Saturday night.

"A total of 255 record warm nights for June were recorded over the last week, with 59 of those new records the warmest nights ever recorded at the stations."

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/over-2800-high-temperature-records-set-during-heat-wave/1787130

#ClimateDiary #ClimateDiaryUS #ClimateDiaryMaine #RecordBreakingHeat #ExtremeHeat #Humidity #ExtremeTemperatures #Wetbulb #GlobalWarming #GlobalBoiling

Millions of Americans have never been this hot in October before as a historic #Heatwave hits

Unseasonable heat will persist at least into early next week in the West, and October 3 to October 7 [And still going on in many parts of the US!]

By Mary Gilbert
October 3, 2024

"Millions of people in the West are experiencing a dangerous and historic October heat wave, with temperatures so extreme they’d be considered hot during the peak of summer.

"The heat has been so potent the United States soared to and tied the highest temperature ever seen in the month of October on Tuesday."

https://ktvz.com/cnn-weather-environment/2024/10/03/millions-of-americans-have-never-been-this-hot-in-october-before-as-a-historic-heat-wave-hits/

#RecordBreakingHeat
#GlobalWarming
#ClimateChange
#ClimateCrisis

Millions of Americans have never been this hot in October before as a historic heat wave hits

By Mary Gilbert, CNN Meteorologist (CNN) — Millions of people in the West are experiencing a dangerous and historic October heat wave, with temperatures so extreme they’d be considered hot during the peak of summer. The heat has been so potent the United States soared to and tied the highest temperature ever seen in the

KTVZ