In 2024, every continent in the world experienced heat waves. Heat waves were especially notable in East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Australia, western Europe, the United States, and southern South America. 2024 heat waves accounted for record-breaking temperatures and, in some regions, heat-related deaths. Heat waves were worsened by the effects of climate change, and they exacerbated droughts and wildfires.
By region
editAfrica
editAntarctica
editIn July 2024, a heat wave stuck most of Antarctica, primarily in the Eastern and Central regions of the continent. Average temperatures were at -4°C, extensively higher than average winter temperatures, especially for the time typically associated with Antarctica's coldest annual temperatures.[1]
Asia
editFrom May through June, a heat wave in India killed 205 people, and 25,000 others suffered from heatstroke.[2][3] In Rajasthan, temperatures reached 50 °C (122 °F) in Churu, Sirsa and Phalodi, while Delhi's Mungeshpur, Narela and Najafgarh also neared 50 °C on 28 May.[4][5] Also from May into June, a heat wave in Pakistan killed 568 people.[6]
Between 14 and 19 June, at least 1,301 people on the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia died due to extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 50 °C (122 °F).[7][8]
Heat waves in Japan resulted in at least 123 deaths in Tokyo, mostly elderly people.[9]
Europe
editNorth America
editHigh temperatures in Mexico led to over 155 deaths with 2,567 people suffering from heat-related ailments, with dozens to possibly hundreds of heat deaths across Arizona.[10][11] On July 5, Palm Springs, California reached 124 °F (51 °C), breaking the record for the city's highest temperature.[12] On July 7, Las Vegas, Nevada broke its all-time temperature record, with the city seeing 120 °F (49 °C) temperatures.[13][14]
Oceania
editSouth America
editSee also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Climate Reanalyzer". climatereanalyzer.org. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ "8 more Odisha, Rajasthan deaths push heatstroke toll to 219". Times of India. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Indian heatwave kills dozens over summer, media says nearly 25,000 fall ill". Reuters. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ Mufti, Ifrah (2024-05-29). "Delhi records highest-ever temperature of 52.9 Celsius, IMD issues red alert for Wednesday". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ^ "Heatwave alert: These Indian cities surpass 50 degrees Celsius in 2024". The Times of India. 2024-05-30. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
- ^ Davies, Caroline (26 June 2024). "Pakistan: More than 500 die in six days as heatwave grips country". BBC. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ France-Presse, Agence. "More than 550 hajj pilgrims die in Mecca as temperatures exceed 50C | Hajj | The Guardian". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Saudi health minister says 1,301 people died during Hajj". Al Arabiya. 23 June 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ "More than 120 people died in Tokyo from heatstroke in July as average temperatures hit record highs". AP News. 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ "Heatwave in Mexico claims lives of more than 150 since March". France 24. 21 June 2024. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ "More records expected to shatter as long-running blanket of heat threatens 130 million in U.S." Associated Press. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ "This sizzling California city just recorded its all-time hottest temperature". July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ Emerson, Elaine (2024-07-07). "Las Vegas hits 120 degrees, hottest day on record". Fox 5 Vegas. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ Toohey, Grace; Blakinger, Keri (2024-07-09). "Temperature records shattered across the West as intense heat wave drags on". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-07-10.