Heatwave hotspots that should not exist are popping up across the world

These heat waves have led to tens of thousands of deaths, crop failures, and devastating wildfires.

In Short

• The study presents the first worldwide map highlighting these areas
• The research analysed heat waves over the past 65 years
• Some areas are warming at a significantly faster rate than others.

The year 2023 has officially been recorded as the hottest year in history, with global temperatures averaging 2.12 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th-century average, surpassing the previous record set in 2016.

This alarming trend is part of a broader pattern, as the ten hottest yearly averages have all occurred within the last decade. With 2024 already experiencing the hottest summer and single day on record, experts warn that another record-breaking year may be imminent.

Amid this unprecedented rise in temperatures, a new study reveals a concerning phenomenon: certain regions across the globe are experiencing extreme heat waves that exceed predictions made by climate models.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, presents the first worldwide map highlighting these areas, which appear like “giant, angry skin blotches” on every continent except Antarctica.

These heat waves have led to tens of thousands of deaths, crop failures, and devastating wildfires.

Lead author Kai Kornhuber, from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, explains that these extreme trends result from complex physical interactions that are not fully understood. "These regions become temporary hothouses," he stated.

The research analysed heat waves over the past 65 years and identified that some areas are warming at a significantly faster rate than others.

Regions hardest hit include populous areas in China, Japan, Korea, and parts of Europe, where extreme heat has resulted in thousands of fatalities.

Notably, northwest Europe faced severe heat waves leading to approximately 60,000 deaths in 2022 alone. The study suggests that these extreme weather patterns are linked to disruptions in the jet stream caused by rapid Arctic warming.

As temperatures continue to rise, experts emphasise the urgent need for public awareness and preparedness against extreme heat events.

With excessive heat now causing more deaths than any other weather-related disaster, calls for naming heat waves to enhance public response are growing louder.

Kornhuber cautions that while humanity may adapt over time, "we're not built for them," pointing to the critical need for action against climate change and its devastating impacts on health and infrastructure.