Europe Heatwave LIVE 2023 Updates: Heatwave Sweeps Europe, Breaking Temperature Records Globally – News18

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closely watching the situation, examining potential new continental temperature records as the heatwave persists.

June marked the warmest global average temperature on record, a trend continuing into July according to preliminary data. Heatwaves have become one of the deadliest natural hazards, claiming thousands of lives each year.

As the extreme heat continues to unfold, heavy precipitation has triggered devastating floods in some countries, including the Republic of Korea, Japan, and northeastern parts of the US. Southern Europe is particularly affected, with Spain and Italy experiencing soaring temperatures exceeding 40°C, prompting red alerts and heightened fire danger.

The Mediterranean Sea’s surface temperatures are exceptionally high, further exacerbating the heatwave. As urbanisation and demographic changes contribute to rising health risks, the WMO is intensifying efforts to provide heat-health early warnings and integrated action plans. The impacts on people, economies, and the environment underscore the critical need for climate action.

A recent study revealed that Europe alone witnessed approximately 60,000 additional deaths last summer due to extreme heat, according to WMO. Experts consider this figure conservative, highlighting the seriousness of the situation even in regions with robust early warning systems and heat-health action plans.