A heatwave is continuing across southern Europe, with temperatures in the central Mediterranean expected to peak today.
The European Space Agency says the Italian island of Sardinia could reach 48C, and there are warnings extreme heat could continue for a further 10 days in parts of Italy. In the capital, Rome, temperatures could remain above 40C for 15 days.
Spain has also faced consecutive heatwaves, with temperatures yesterday reaching 44C in the south of the country.
There have been wildfires on the Spanish island of La Palma and in mainland Greece, and there have also been reports of power cuts in some areas as demand surges because of air conditioners.
A scorching summer across the northern hemisphere
Many countries in the northern hemisphere have hit record-breaking temperatures, amid an abnormally hot summer season.
In Asia, local media reported that at least 60 people in Japan were treated for heatstroke, with a majority sent to hospital. Parts of China are also experiencing record heat, including in the Xinjiang region.
North America and Europe have not been spared either. Temperatures are expected to peak in Europe this week, while the heatwave in North America is forecast to extend into next week.
Here’s a rundown of what has happened so far:
- The temperature in the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia is expected to hit a high of 48C (118F), according to the European Space Agency
- In Cyprus, the temperature is expected to remain above 40C through the week. It has already killed a 90-year-old man, and hospitalised three other seniors
- A forest fire has broken out by a popular beach town near Athens, threatening nearby holiday camps for children.
- In Phoenix, Arizona, temperature stayed above 43C for 17 straight days last week
- California’s Death Valley, among one of the hottest places in the world, reached 52C on the weekend
various parts of Asia have been hit by both storms and heatwaves, even as Europe and North America are reeling from extreme heat.
Some 260,000 people have been evacuated, as typhoon Talim lashes southern China and prepares to make landfall in Vietnam. In South Korea, 41 people across the country have died due to floods and landslides, while nine others remain missing.
Over in Japan, at least 60 people have bene treated for heatstroke, with heatstroke alerts issued in 32 out of the country’s 47 prefectures.
Meanwhile in western and southern US states, more than 80 million people were under advisories as a “widespread and oppressive” heatwave hit the region.
A heatwave is also continuing across southern Europe, with temperatures in the central Mediterranean expected to peak today.
Forecasters say the Italian island of Sardinia could reach 46C (115F). There are warnings that the extreme heat could continue for a further ten days in Italy. Hot weather alerts are also in place across most of Spain. There have been reports of power cuts in some areas as demand surges because of air conditioners.
We’ll continue to bring you coverage of the extreme weather conditions that are assailing the northern hemisphere.
Disney attractions in Tokyo disrupted amid heatwave in Japan and China
Even as torrential rain, brought on by typhoon Talim, batters the southern coast of China, a heatwave is blanketing some areas in the country’s north.
On the weekend, China provisionally recorded its highest temperature ever on at more than 52C (125.6F) in Xinjiang, according to the UK Met Office.
Beijing recorded its hottest June day in more than 60 years, with the mercury touching 41.1C (105.9F).
Over in Japan, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea on Monday temporarily halted some outdoor events and shows on account of the blistering heat.
Authorities have issued heatstroke warnings, as temperatures in many places – including Tokyo – rose to nearly 40C (104F).
