From Ireland to the Middle East, countries and cities all over the world are reporting temperatures higher than have ever been seen on record before.
At the end of June, the city of Quriyat in Oman hit headlines after it recorded the highest “low” temperature in known history — 108.7 degrees Fahrenheit (42.6 degrees Celsius).
While one region seeing abnormally high temperatures wouldn’t necessarily be cause for concern, the same pattern being repeated worldwide is now prompting concern about a connection to global warming.
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“We know that these kinds of [extreme weather] events are very consistent with what we expect to be happening with climate change,” Jennifer Marlon, of Yale University, told the Times.
The extreme high temperatures are the result of large areas of heat pressure, or heat domes, according to the Washington Post.
“It is absolutely incredible and really one of the most intense heat events I’ve ever seen for so far north,” wrote meteorologist Nick Humphrey, on his blog.
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“Climate change has sent temperatures skyrocketing in the far north of the planet over just the past 20 years,” he added. “While that’s been quite reflected in the rapid rise in wintertime temperatures, it’s increasingly being reflected in summertime temperatures as more and more sea ice disappears earlier in the season, leaving more dark blue ocean to absorb more daytime sunlight.”
“2018 has unfortunately been a prime example of global warming’s effect on the jet stream,” he said.
A killer heatwave has seen all-time high temperature records set around the world, and it is set to continue, experts have warned. #map#heatwave#globalwarminghttps://t.co/G4Sf30Cq6Ypic.twitter.com/6CnbtuWvW2
— The American Geographical Society (@AmericanGeo) July 6, 2018
In the northern hemisphere, Northern Siberia has reportedly seen temperatures of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit over normal, reaching around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).
Africa also recorded its highest ever (reliable) temperature on Thursday in Ouargla, Algeria, where it reached 124.3 degrees Fahrenheit (51 degrees Celsius). The previous record dated back to July 13, 1961, when it hit 123.3 degrees Fahrenheit (50.7 degrees Celsius) in Morocco.
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And in Quebec, record-high temperatures have resulted in the deaths of at least 34 people, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Reuters news agency reported that most of the victims lived alone, had health issues, and didn’t have access to air conditioning.
“All the predictions illustrate that going forward in Canada, things are going to be hotter, wetter, and wilder,” Blair Feltmate, a climate scientist from the University of Waterloo, told Canada’s Global News. “It’s not any particular year that matters. What matters is the overall, the long-term trend.”
Here's a run down of some of the most significantly high temperatures around the world from recent days, according to the Washington Post:
Europe:
- Glasgow, Scotland — saw its hottest day on record, hitting 89.4F (31.9C)
- Shannon, Ireland — hit an all-time record high of 89.6F (32C) on June 28
- Belfast, Northern Ireland — also recorded an all-time high on June 28, of 85.1F (29.5C)
- Tbilisi, Georgia — hit all-time record on July 4 of 104.9F (40.5C)
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United States and Canada:
- Denver, Colorado — tied its all-time high of 105F (40.6C) on June 28
- Mount Washington, New Hampshire — all-time hottest low temperature of 60F (15.5C) on July 2
- Burlington, Vermont — all-time hottest low temperature of 80F (26.7C) on July 2
- Montreal — highest temperature in all 147 years of recorded history, of 97.9F (36.6C) on July 2
- Ottawa — most extreme combination of heat and humidity on July 1
Middle East:
- Quriyat, Oman — hottest low temperature on June 28, of 109F (42.6C)