Thursday, December 19News That Matters

Tag: Heatwave

Summer of 2024 Breaks Heat Records as New Research Unveils Human-Caused Disruption in Earth’s Air Circulation Systems

Summer of 2024 Breaks Heat Records as New Research Unveils Human-Caused Disruption in Earth’s Air Circulation Systems

Breaking News, Climate Actions
The summer of 2024 has officially become the hottest on record, marking a worrying milestone in a trend that scientists had long predicted. The intensifying heat and dryness, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, have fueled severe droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, and crop failures across North America and Europe. These escalating conditions are increasingly threatening societies worldwide. A major contributor to these extreme weather patterns is the weakening of Earth's air circulation systems, a phenomenon that scientists now attribute directly to human activities. Two groundbreaking studies led by Dr. Rei Chemke of the Weizmann Institute of Science have uncovered the underlying cause of this weakening. Published in leading scientific journals, these studies reveal that manmade emis...
Summer 2024 Becomes Hottest on Record, Likely Making 2024 Warmest Year Ever

Summer 2024 Becomes Hottest on Record, Likely Making 2024 Warmest Year Ever

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Summer 2024 has officially sweltered its way to becoming the hottest on record, according to the European climate service Copernicus. This milestone adds to the mounting evidence that 2024 is on track to be the warmest year ever measured by humanity. While a temporary La Niña event a cooling phenomenon affecting parts of the central Pacific is forecast for the last four months of the year, it’s unlikely to offset the unprecedented heat experienced throughout the year. Despite this cooling effect, the trend of extreme warmth is expected to continue, making it increasingly probable that 2024 will surpass all previous annual temperature records. Carlo Buontempo, a climate scientist at Copernicus, noted that while part of the record heat from last year was driven by the El Niño event, th...
Unprecedented Winter Heatwave in Australia: A Stark Reminder of Climate Change

Unprecedented Winter Heatwave in Australia: A Stark Reminder of Climate Change

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Australia has experienced hot temperatures well above historical averages. Over the past weekend in Australia, large parts of the country saw record-breaking heat, raising concerns about the ongoing impact of climate change. In South Australia's outback town of Oodnadatta, temperatures soared to 38.5°C on Friday and an even hotter 39.4°C on Saturday about 16°C above average for this time of year. These temperatures shattered previous winter records for the state. Similar heatwaves were recorded across Australia, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting that the trend will continue into the coming week. A persistent high-pressure system over eastern Australia and the Tasman Sea is the main driver behind this unusual heatwave. This system has kept skies clear and brought northerly wi...
Delhi Sizzles Near 50°C: Why Such Scorching Heat? When Can We Expect a Respite? FAQs Answered

Delhi Sizzles Near 50°C: Why Such Scorching Heat? When Can We Expect a Respite? FAQs Answered

Breaking News, Climate Actions
Delhi, India - May 29, 2024, 01:23 PM IST: Delhi is experiencing an extreme heatwave, with temperatures soaring to nearly 50 degrees Celsius. Mungeshpur and Narela recorded 49.9°C, followed by Najafgarh at 49.8°C, marking the highest temperatures ever recorded in the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the next two days due to severe heatwave conditions. Why Is Delhi So Hot? Several factors are contributing to the scorching temperatures: Hot Winds from Rajasthan: Hot winds from Rajasthan are affecting Delhi, particularly the outskirts. Open Areas and Vacant Land: Increased radiation in open areas without shade leads to exceptionally high temperatures. Lack of Western Disturbances: The absence of western disturbances, which typically b...
Climate Change Vs Intense Heatwave: Rising Temperatures and Intense Heat Index Explained

Climate Change Vs Intense Heatwave: Rising Temperatures and Intense Heat Index Explained

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Opinions
The heat in Delhi is becoming increasingly unbearable. On May 23, 2024, the temperature reached 41 degrees Celsius, but it felt like a scorching 50 degrees Celsius. In the coming days, the perceived heat may rise to an astonishing 56 degrees Celsius. Despite being just one degree above the normal temperature, the heat feels extraordinarily intense. Recent data from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) shows a discrepancy between recorded temperatures and the heat people actually feel. This is backed by a recent study indicating that the temperatures tolerated by Indian citizens already exceed the set limits. Why Does the Heat Feel More Intense? The sensation of intense heat is not solely due to high air temperatures. Humidity plays a significant role in how hot it feels. The...
How Climate Change Escalating Risk of Extreme Heat stress Amid National Elections in India

How Climate Change Escalating Risk of Extreme Heat stress Amid National Elections in India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Opinions, Thoughts & Talks
India is experiencing searing heat earlier than usual for the third consecutive summer, with extensive regions suffering from humid conditions. Scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency, duration, and severity of heatwaves, potentially endangering more than a billion lives. As national elections progress, the impact of this heatwave is more acute compared to 2023, the hottest year on record. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted an unusually high number of heatwave days from April to June. Defining Heatwaves and New Indices There is no global standard for defining heatwaves, but the IMD considers temperatures above 40°C in low-lying areas or 30°C in mountainous regions as heatwave conditions. The IMD has introduced a Heat Index that factors in ...
IMD Issues Red Alert as Heatwave Intensifies in Northern India

IMD Issues Red Alert as Heatwave Intensifies in Northern India

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a 'red alert' for several northern states, predicting that maximum daytime temperatures in districts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and West Uttar Pradesh could breach the 47°C mark over the next five days. Senior IMD scientist Naresh Kumar, speaking to our reporters, stated, "Temperatures are currently above normal across North West India, and we had issued a red alert for the region over the past 2-3 days. In Rajasthan, the maximum temperature is likely to inch further up from 45°C and settle at 47°C." The IMD's forecast indicates a marginal drop in temperatures in Punjab and Haryana due to a prevailing western disturbance, but these are expected to increase gradually by 2 to 3 degrees. Additionally, an orange ...
Heatwave and Heavy Rainfall Alerts Across India major states IMD Issues Severe Warnings

Heatwave and Heavy Rainfall Alerts Across India major states IMD Issues Severe Warnings

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Amid rising temperatures in North India, the national capital Delhi recorded a scorching maximum temperature of 47.4 degrees Celsius, the highest in the country on Monday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued severe heatwave alerts for Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Chandigarh, forecasting that these conditions will persist for the next five days. North India Swelters Under Intense Heat Delhi's peak power demand surged to a record high for May due to the extreme heat. In response, the Delhi government has mandated immediate commencement of summer vacations for all private and government-aided schools. The Directorate of Education has declared summer break from May 11 to June 30 for this academic year. In Himachal Pradesh, the State Education Department has adjusted sc...
Severe Heatwave Grips Delhi: How to Protect Yourself as Temperatures Soar Above 45 Degrees

Severe Heatwave Grips Delhi: How to Protect Yourself as Temperatures Soar Above 45 Degrees

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
As a severe heatwave grips Delhi and other parts of North India, with temperatures soaring to 45-47 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert. The extreme heat poses significant health risks, including heatstroke, dehydration, and damage to vital organs. It is crucial to take preventative measures to protect oneself from the adverse effects of such high temperatures. High temperatures can overwhelm the body's natural ability to regulate its internal temperature, leading to conditions like heatstroke. Symptoms of heatstroke include high body temperature (above 40°C or 104°F), confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Without immediate medical intervention, heatstroke can be fatal. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can also damage the brain, ...
Heatwave Vs Human Body:  How Heatwaves Affect the Human Body and Mind

Heatwave Vs Human Body: How Heatwaves Affect the Human Body and Mind

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks
Heatwaves, characterized by prolonged periods of excessively high temperatures, are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. These extreme weather events can have profound impacts on human health, affecting both the body and mind. Understanding these effects is crucial for mitigating risks and protecting public health. Physical Health Impacts Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses excessive water and salt through sweating. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and headache. If untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition where the body's temperature regulation fails, leading to a core body temperature above 104°F (40°C). Heatstroke can cause confusion, seizures, an...