Japan is the latest country to face record-breaking heat at 40 degree Celsius
Temperatures above 35 degree Celsius during summers have become the norm across the world rather than the exception. Several countries that never experienced soaring temperatures are witnessing record-breaking highs. In the latest is Japan, which recorded a sweltering 104 degree Fahrenheit or 40 degree Celsius, in some places on Saturday, June 25, 2022. It is the highest recorded temperature for the month of June in Japan in its history. And in Japan, summer has barely begun.
Japan’s Isesaki, which is around 80 km from Tokyo, recorded the hottest temperature of June. However, Isesaki is not the only city to face record-breaking temperatures, several cities in Japan also reported above-average temperatures for June. The summer months of July and August are yet to come.
What are the other regions facing a heatwave?
Japan is only the latest country to report a heatwave. But from India, Europe to the US, there is no continent that has NOT reported record-breaking highs this year.
1. CHINA: China’s northeastern province of Hebei recorded a temperature of 44 degree Celsius, which observers called “historic” for the country.
2. ARCTIC HEAT WAVE: The snow-capped areas of the world have been touched by the fiery heat. On June 24, 2022, Tazovskoe in Russia reported another record-high at 32 degree Celsius. Norilsk, just 300 km from the Arctic Circle, reported an all-time high of 32 degree Celsius on June 23, 2022.
3. MIDDLE EAST/CENTRAL ASIA: Temperatures soared to 50 degree Celsius at the Iranian port of Bandar-e-Dayyer on June 26, 2022. In early June, Kuwait recorded temperatures as high as 52 degree Celsius. Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan both recorded highs of over 44 degree Celsius on June 26, 2022.
4. AFRICA: Heat plumes arriving from North Africa to the Mediterranean and Europe is sending temperatures soaring in European countries.
5. EUROPE: Just a week ago, Europe was facing higher than average summer temperatures. France’s average day and night temperature rose to over 27 degree Celsius, the highest of the year. Some parts of France and Spain also reported temperatures of 43 degrees Celsius. Austria’s Vorarlberg broke a record when the temperature reached 36.5 degree Celsius. Germany’s Cottbus reported an all-time high for any month at 39 degree Celsius. The heatwave has also resulted in wildfires in Spain and Germany. Switzerland reported an high of about 34 degree Celsius last week.
6. US: Last week, 16 states in the US were under a heatwave alert. Atlanta reported its June 2022 record at over 36 degree Celsius, and Nashville recorded over 37 degree Celsius for June month, the highest in a decade. Moreover, a historic heatwave swept through Midwestern and Southeastern US this month. Heatwaves have resulted in wildfires in California and flash floods at the Yellowstone National Park.
7. INDIA: Heatwaves in India and Pakistan persisted for quite a long time between March and May. It is only now with the beginning of the monsoon that some places saw relief. Some parts of India reported a temperature of over 44 degree Celsius in the month of June and some near the national capital Delhi reported temperatures above 49 degree Celsius.
There is no doubt that climate change is aiding the global temperature rise. In a few years, temperatures as high as 50 degree Celsius will become normal.