Belgium's First September Heatwave Ever... Hot Weather Across Many Parts of the US
Europe, which had been suffering from scorching heat, continues to groan under a heatwave even in September as it enters autumn. At least four people died due to heavy rain in Spain, while late summer heat is rampant in France.
On the 8th (local time), Bloomberg and AFP reported that autumn heat continues mainly in the northwest of Europe.
The UK recorded its highest temperature of the year on the 7th. In Wisley, southeastern England, daytime temperatures rose to 32.6 degrees Celsius, surpassing the 32.2 degrees recorded in June, marking the hottest day of the year so far.
Bloomberg reported that the mercury exceeded 30 degrees for five consecutive days, the longest record for September in the UK. The heatwave in the UK is expected to continue over the weekend.
The UK Met Office predicted that temperatures would approach 33 degrees on the 9th (local time).
Extreme weather phenomena occurred in various places.
Earlier, the European Union (EU) climate change monitoring agency, the Copernicus Climate Change Service, announced that the global average temperature from June to August this year was 16.77℃. This is the highest temperature since Copernicus began its first meteorological observations in 1940.
Record-breaking heavy rain fell in central Spain on the 3rd and 4th (local time), resulting in at least four deaths. According to the Spanish Meteorological Agency, 92 liters of rain per square meter (㎡) fell in Madrid within 24 hours. This is the highest since 1981. At least four people died across Spain due to this heavy rain.
In the Madrid area, six bridges collapsed due to the rapid currents, and roads were closed in many places. In Toledo, helicopters were even deployed to rescue people who had taken refuge on rooftops to escape the flood.
Belgium experienced its first-ever 'September heatwave' record, continuing the heat.
Belgian meteorological authorities define a heatwave as daytime temperatures exceeding 25 degrees for five consecutive days. At the southern observatory in Brussels, temperatures exceeded 25 degrees from the 4th to the 8th. Among these days, three saw temperatures surpassing 30 degrees.
This September heatwave in Belgium is the first since meteorological records began. The Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium explained, "Since records began in 1892, there have been 48 heatwaves, but this is the first case in September."
France is also suffering from scorching heat. According to the French Meteorological Agency, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in the southwest recorded a daytime high of 37 degrees Celsius. Paris rose to 32 degrees.
On the 7th (local time), vacationers enjoy swimming at the beach in Brighton, UK. Photo by Yonhap News
Paris is forecasted to soar up to 34 degrees on the 10th, which is more than 9 degrees above the average temperature. There are also forecasts that heat approaching 40 degrees could return to France once again.
Earlier, a red heatwave warning was issued for 19 departments across France, and in some places like Lyon, temperatures exceeded 40 degrees. In the southwestern nuclear power plant, operations were temporarily suspended as the river water used for cooling rose too high in temperature.
Heatwaves also raged across the United States.
According to the US daily Washington Post (WP), on the 5th and 6th, many areas from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coast to the Southwest recorded their highest temperatures ever for those dates.
With abnormal high temperatures continuing, including a daytime high of 47 degrees in Texas, buildings, pipes, and power structures are under threat. As a result, several places implemented temporary school closures or adjusted school hours for arrival and dismissal.
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