Europe Heatwave: The scary truth behind the breaking temperature records in Europe, scientists told why this crisis is serious.
Melbourne/Paris. Due to the scorching sun and unprecedented heat in Europe, all temperature records are being destroyed and the entire continent is currently in the grip of a severe ‘heatwave’. The hottest days in history are being recorded in France and Britain. The maximum temperature in western parts of France has reached between 39 to 43 degrees Celsius, while in Britain the June temperature was recorded at 36.1 degrees Celsius. Spain, Germany, Austria, Netherlands and Switzerland are also burning due to severe heat. Due to this deadly heat, dozens of people have died due to drowning while trying to find relief in France.
Along with this, the global sea surface temperature has also reached record levels. The Australian Meteorological Department has officially confirmed the formation of ‘El Niño’ conditions, due to which Australia, Asia, South Pacific region including India and Pakistan are expected to have warmer and drier weather than normal this year.
Increased concern of scientists
Meteorologists have considered the current heat in Europe as extremely unusual and severe, there are two main reasons behind it.
These two reasons surprised
knock too early
The hottest time in Europe is usually mid to late July. But recent research shows that now the extreme heat is starting in June itself. This is only the second time since 1950 that such a severe heatwave has occurred several weeks before the peak of the summer season. According to scientists, human-caused climate change has led to an increase of 1.3 degrees Celsius in global temperatures. Due to this, the severe heat which used to occur once in 50 years is now being seen every 5 years.
Extreme seriousness and breaking records
The hottest days and nights are being recorded in France since 1947. The highest ever temperature for June has been recorded in 147 cities of the country, while the mercury crossed 43 degrees Celsius at 41 centres. The situation is so serious that the river water could not be used for cooling in nuclear power plants due to it being abnormally hot. At some places in Spain, the temperature did not drop below 30 degrees Celsius for three consecutive nights, while the day temperature crossed 45 degrees Celsius. It is estimated that this heatwave is now moving towards eastern parts like Poland and Germany.
Why is it so hot?
Local causes (high pressure): When a strong area of ’high pressure system’ persists over an area for a long time, it acts like an ‘atmospheric lid or layer’. It traps the hot air near the lower surface and removes the clouds and transmits direct sunlight to the earth, due to which the temperature increases rapidly.
Global causes (fossil fuels): The biggest reason for this is the increasing climate change due to excessive use of fossil fuels like oil, coal and gas. There were only 5 heatwaves in Europe between 1950 and 1999, but this number has increased to more than 20 between 2000 and 2025.
Big threat to human health and environment
According to the ‘European Climate Risk Assessment’, extreme heat poses a serious threat to public health in southern and west-central Europe. The risk of heat related diseases will increase further in the coming times. Scientists estimate that if the effect of El Nino continues to be associated with climate change, then the global average temperature in the years 2026 and 2027 may break all records in history. Extreme heat has now become a major global crisis affecting the environment, health and economy of not just one country or continent, but the entire world.
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