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July 2022 European heat wave

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July 2022 European heat wave
TypeHeat wave
AreasEurope (Croatia, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom)
Start date10 July 2022 (2022-07-10)
End dateOngoing
Losses
Deaths599
  • Morocco: 1
  • Portugal: 238
  • Spain: 360
Injuries187
  • Portugal: 187

A heat wave affecting much of Western Europe and the United Kingdom began in mid-July 2022, setting all-time high temperatures across the region. The soaring temperatures caused a string of wildfires to break out across Europe, and the high temperatures caused hundreds of deaths across Spain and Portugal.[1] The United Kingdom issued its first ever "red" level temperature warning, and several towns were evacuated in Portugal and France.[1][2]

Climatologists linked the extreme heat to the impact of climate change, and experts predict that changes in the jet stream as a result of climate change will cause heat waves with increasing frequency in Europe.[3][4]

France

In July, an estimated total of more than 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) were burnt by wildfires in Gironde, causing a total of over 12,000 people to be evacuated.[5]

Ireland

On 13 July, Met Éireann issued a high temperature advisory for Ireland, with temperatures forecast to reach the high twenties and possibly exceeding 30 °C (86 °F) from Sunday 17 to Tuesday 19 July.[6]

On 15 July, Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow high temperature warning for Ireland, with "exceptionally" high temperatures possibly up to 32 °C (90 °F) forecast.[7]

Portugal

In July, over 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) were burnt by wildfires in Leiria, blocking a part of the A1 which runs from Porto to Lisbon. In Algarve, a fire broke out in the city of Faro, which spread to the Quinta do Lago resort. According to the Civil Protection Authority, at least 135 people have been injuried since wildfires began, and about 800 people have been evacuated from their homes.[8] A pilot died when his waterbombing plane crashed in Vila Nova de Foz Côa while combating wildfires in the region.[5] At least 238 people died due to heat,[9] and later the number of injuries rose to 187.[10]

Spain

In July, Extremadura experienced wildfires which spread to Salamanca in Castile and León and burnt more than 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres).[8]

On 14 July, the Carlos III Health Institute said that at least 43 people had died on 10 and 11 July from the heat.[11]

On 16 July, it was reported that at least 360 people died between 10 July and 15 July due to heat.[12]

United Kingdom

Main article: 2022 United Kingdom heat wave

On 8 July, the Met Office issued a heat-health alert in parts of England and Wales.[13] On 15 July, the UKHSA increased the Heatwave Alert Level to 4, which means "illness and death occurring among the fit and healthy - and not just in high-risk groups", triggering a national emergency.[14] The Met Office issued its first ever red extreme heat warning after there were forecasts of over 40 °C (104 °F) in some parts of England, and a national emergency was declared.[15] The warning is in place for 18 to 19 July, with most of England being affected.[16]

The amber extreme heat warning was extended to cover Cornwall, west Wales and parts of southern Scotland. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen stated that there was a 50% chance there will be temperatures over 40 °C and an 80% chance of a new record temperature.[17] A number of schools announced they would either close or allow pupils to wear PE kit in place of their school uniform on the hottest days.[18] Transport for London urged people to make only essential journeys on 18 and 19 July.[19]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to July 2022 European heat wave.

References

  1. ^ a b Kirby, Paul (2022-07-15). "Europe heatwave: Thousands escape wildfires in France, Spain and Greece". BBC News. Retrieved 2022-07-17.
  2. ^ Adams, Doug Faulkner & Charley (2022-07-16). "Heatwave: National emergency declared after UK's first red extreme heat warning". BBC News. Retrieved 2022-07-17.
  3. ^ Carrington, Damian (2022-07-11). "Why is it so hot in the UK and elsewhere in Europe and what are the dangers?". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-07-17.
  4. ^ School, Columbia Climate (2022-07-05). "More Frequent European Heat Waves Linked to Changes in Jet Stream". State of the Planet. Retrieved 2022-07-17.
  5. ^ a b "Europe heatwave: Deadly wildfires spread in Mediterranean". BBC. 16 July 2022.
  6. ^ "High temperature advisory issued for Ireland". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Met Éireann issues heat warning as 32C 'possible'". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  8. ^ a b Demony, Catarina; Pereira, Miguel (2022-07-13). "Scorching heat wave sparks wildfires in Europe". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  9. ^ Donn, Natasha (2022-07-15). "Heatwave provokes 238 excess deaths in seven days". Portugal Resident. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  10. ^ "Europe heatwave: Thousands escape wildfires in France, Spain and Greece". BBC News. 2022-07-15. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  11. ^ Kirby, Paul (15 July 2022). "Europe heatwave: Thousands escape wildfires in France, Spain and Greece". BBC News. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  12. ^ "La ola de calor deja en España 360 muertos, 123 de ellos en la jornada del viernes". ELMUNDO (in Spanish). 2022-07-16. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  13. ^ "NHS England » Heat-health watch alert: level 3 – heatwave action". www.england.nhs.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-10.
  14. ^ "What is a national heatwave emergency and what could it mean for the UK this week?". Sky News. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  15. ^ "Heatwave: National emergency declared after UK's first red extreme heat warning". 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  16. ^ "UK Red warning Extreme heat". Met Office. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  17. ^ "The first Red Extreme heat warning issued". Met Office. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  18. ^ "Heatwave: Schools to close or let children wear PE kit to keep cool". 15 July 2022 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  19. ^ Chapman, Ben (16 July 2022). "Londoners urged not to travel on Monday and Tuesday due to extreme heat". www.gbnews.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
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