July 2023 witnessed an unprecedented global heat wave, with the initial three weeks marking the hottest three-week stretch ever recorded. A recent study conducted by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) reveals that during the summer months of 2023, Germany encountered twice the number of individuals exposed to daily temperatures of 35°C (95°F) and above, in comparison to the average between 1980 and 1999. The study was carried out by the Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM) at KIT. Notably, the European populace’s highest heat exposure was documented in Italy.
This year’s summer season saw a series of varying, yet intense, heatwaves occurring simultaneously across different regions of the northern hemisphere. In their analysis titled “Untersuchung der globalen Hitzewelle im Jahr 2023” (Investigation of the Global Heat Wave in 2023), the Forensic Disaster Analysis (FDA) Task Force Group under CEDIM at KIT scrutinized the soaring temperatures reached during these heatwaves, along with the population’s vulnerability to the heat.
In various areas, longstanding record-high temperatures were surpassed, and in certain regions, entirely new daily and monthly records were established. Notably, June 2023 exhibited ocean surface temperatures that had never been witnessed before. Moreover, in terms of global land and ocean surface temperatures, June 2023 was declared the warmest June since 1850.
On a global scale, the initial three weeks of July 2023 marked the hottest such period in history. Specifically, a new global surface temperature record of 17.08 degrees Celsius was reached on July 6, closely trailed by July 5 and 7, each recording 17.07 degrees Celsius.
July 2023 also brought about extreme temperatures, leading to the establishment of new national heat records. Although official confirmation from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is still pending, these records were set across Mediterranean nations, including North Africa and the Middle East, as well as in the USA, Canada, and China.
Dr. Andreas Schäfer from CEDIM’s FDA Task Force Group elucidates that the formation of a substantial temperature anomaly over an extended period necessitates a persistent and unusually large-scale atmospheric flow pattern. This phenomenon is influenced by pressure distribution in the middle troposphere at an altitude of approximately 5.5 kilometers, which dictates upper-level airflow and subsequent air mass movement.
During July 2023, remarkably stable high-pressure systems dominated the regions affected by heightened temperatures. The descending air masses in these areas played a pivotal role in elevating temperatures and fostering the local development of the heatwave, as explained by Schäfer.
The researchers also delved into the extent of the population’s exposure to the heat. In Germany, roughly seven million people encountered daily maximum temperatures exceeding 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). This number represented a 40 percent increase compared to the average figures from 1980 to 1999. Furthermore, the count of individuals exposed to temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher doubled, reaching around 206,000. This trend of increased heat exposure during the summer months was also observed in Italy, Greece, Spain, the USA, China, and India.
Italy bore the brunt of this heatwave in Europe, with temperature records exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). While between 1980 and 1999, only 4,000 individuals per day faced such extreme temperatures, this number skyrocketed to over 127,000 in 2023. To mitigate the adverse health impacts of heat exposure, governmental institutions implemented action plans and adaptation strategies, including the installation of public water sources and dispenser systems. Notably, Germany predominantly installed such systems in urban conglomerates.
For further insights, readers can refer to the study titled “CEDIM Forensic Disaster Analysis (FDA) Group: Untersuchung der globalen Hitzewelle im Jahr 2023” authored by Andreas Schäfer, Bernhard Mühr, Florian Kaiser, Denise Heike Böhnke, Susanna Mohr, and Michael Kunz, published on August 8, 2023, through KITopen. The Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM) serves as an interdisciplinary entity within KIT, dedicated to comprehending, detecting, and managing risks and disasters in our rapidly evolving world, characterized by population growth, swift urbanization, and climate change. The center’s research integrates risk assessment, analysis, management, and communication to formulate strategies for bolstering the resilience of infrastructure and supply networks.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Climate Extremes
What were the notable findings of the 2023 Global Heat Wave study?
The study unveiled that the first three weeks of July 2023 marked the hottest three-week period on record globally. Additionally, new temperature highs were reached in various regions, with some areas experiencing unprecedented daily and monthly records.
How did the summer of 2023 differ in terms of temperature anomalies?
The summer of 2023 witnessed several concurrent heatwaves across different parts of the northern hemisphere. These varying heatwaves contributed to the extraordinary heat observed during the season.
What were the key factors contributing to the high temperatures?
Researchers from the Forensic Disaster Analysis (FDA) Task Force Group of KIT’s Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM) identified the role of persistent high-pressure systems in regions affected by extreme temperatures. Descending air masses from these systems were crucial in driving the local heatwave development.
How did the population’s exposure to heat change in comparison to previous years?
The study indicated that during the summer months of 2023, the population’s exposure to heat increased significantly. In Germany, the number of people exposed to temperatures above 25°C and 35°C surged, with Italy experiencing the highest heat exposure among European countries.
What were the repercussions of Italy’s extreme heat in 2023?
Italy faced record-breaking temperatures exceeding 40°C, leading to an increase in the number of individuals exposed to such extreme heat. The country implemented strategies to mitigate the health impacts, including installing public water sources and dispenser systems.
What is the significance of the Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM)?
CEDIM, an interdisciplinary institution of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), focuses on researching disasters, risks, and security. Its work aims to enhance the understanding, detection, and management of natural and anthropogenic risks, particularly in the face of urbanization, population growth, and climate change.
More about Climate Extremes
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Forensic Disaster Analysis (FDA) Task Force Group
- Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM)
- [Study: “Untersuchung der globalen Hitzewelle im Jahr 2023”](link to the study)
1 comment
global heatwaves = trouble. this ain’t just hot air, folks. numbers don’t lie. heat records shattered, Italy sizzlin’ like crazy. gotta address climate shifts!