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Record-breaking heatwaves struck Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia in June and July 2022, as temperatures climbed above 40 degrees Celsius.
A map released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on July 13, 2022 shows the surface air temperatures across most of the Eastern Hemisphere. It was produced by combining observations with a version of the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) global model, which uses mathematical equations to represent physical processes in the atmosphere.
“… this large area of extreme (and record-breaking) heat is another clear indicator that emissions of greenhouse gases by human activity are causing weather extremes that impact our living conditions,” said Steven Pawson, chief of the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
In Western Europe, which was already experiencing severe drought, the heatwave fuelled fires that raged across Portugal, Spain, and parts of France. In Portugal, temperatures reached 45 degrees Celsius on July 13 in the town of Leiria, where more than 3,000 hectares had burned. More than half of the country was on red alert as firefighters battled 14 active fires.
In Italy, the record heat contributed to the July 3 collapse of a portion of the Marmolada Glacier in the Dolomites. The avalanche of snow, ice, and rock killed 11 hikers.
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In the UK, the Met Office issued extreme heat or amber warnings as temperatures were expected to continue to climb, possibly breaking all-time highs.
In North Africa, Tunisia has endured a heatwave and fires that have damaged the country's grain crop. On July 13 in the capital city of Tunis, the temperature reached 48 degrees Celsius, breaking a 40-year record.
In Iran, temperatures remained high in July after reaching a scorching 52 degrees Celsius in late June.
In China, the summer has brought three heatwaves that have buckled roads, melted tar, and popped off roof tiles. The Shanghai Xujiahui Observatory, where records have been kept since 1873, recorded its highest temperature ever: 40.9 degrees Celsius on July 13, 2022.
