Heatwaves: where in the world are they happening?

Recent global headlines have focused on intense heatwaves impacting millions of people worldwide.

Hundreds have died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Dozens of Cypriot homes have been evacuated due to wildfires. Millions of Americans are facing record-high temperatures from a heat dome.

With the hottest summer months yet to come, people are being advised to take extra precautions to keep cool amid what could be a season of record-breaking heat.

An official UK heatwave takes place when a location records at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold.

As manmade climate change continues to increase temperatures, some experts believe this abnormal weather may become more and more frequent. So, which regions and countries are experiencing a heatwave?

North America

In the United States, millions of Americans on the eastern coast are sweltering in temperatures reaching the high 30s.

Most of the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic US are experiencing extreme heat due to a heat dome expected to last well into the weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, the heatwave could “potentially be the longest experienced in decades for some locations”.

A new study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) also revealed that deadly heatwaves in the US and Central America have become 35 times more likely due to human-made global warming.

Mediterranean

Greece, Turkey, and Cyrpus experienced extreme heat this week, causing some wildfires to erupt and homes to be evacuated.

In Greece, several major landmarks such as the Acropolis were closed during the hottest hours as temperatures soared above 43°C in the capital.

Several tourists have also been reported missing or dead in Greece, including Dr Michael Mosley, with specialists attributing most of the incidents to exhaustion and extreme heat.

Cyprus is also experiencing temperatures above 40°C in parts, causing wildfires around Paphos and at least two deaths from heatstroke.

Although most wildfires have been contained in Turkey, it has witnessed temperatures as high as 12°C more than normal for this time of year.

Italy is also bracing for an incoming heatwave, with warnings that the mercury could reach more than 40°C in the south and central parts.

Middle East & North Africa

Saudi Arabia is having brutal temperatures as high as 50°C, which experts believe has contributed to hundreds of deaths at the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Parts of Egypt also recorded temperatures nearing 50°C last week, while most of the country continues to swelter in scorching conditions. And although Jordan reportedly welcomed moderate winds on Thursday (June 20), it has similarly struggled with temperatures in the mid-40s.

Meanwhile, in Morocco, local reports said authorities are taking preventative measures to reduce the chance of wildfires before a heatwave.

South Asia

India has been battling a prolonged heatwave that has killed at least 52 people in the capital, New Delhi.

Local reports said the country recorded twice as many unusual heatwave days between March and June this year, causing more than 40,000 heatstroke cases.

In April, several South-East Asian countries, including the Philippines and Thailand, recorded abnormally high temperatures that led to drought and health warnings.