Heat in Europe and Asia ends another very warm month for the planet

The weekend’s heat wave was the most widespread in Europe, with many countries setting national March temperature records. However, it was also unusually warm in parts of Asia, Central America, and West Africa.

Human-induced climate change due to the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas is accelerating this warming, aided by El Niño weather patterns.

European summer heat

Last weekend in Eastern Europe felt more like summer than early spring, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s, about 20 to 35 degrees above normal.

8 countries set National record for March warmth:

• Albania: 85.3 degrees (29.6 degrees Celsius) in Kuchove.
• Belarus: 81 degrees (27.2 degrees Celsius) in Lerchitsi.
• Croatia: 84.2 degrees (29 degrees Celsius) in Osijek.
• Estonia: 70.3 degrees (21.3 degrees Celsius) in Valga.
• Latvia: 73 degrees (22.8 degrees Celsius) in Skulte.
• Lithuania: 77.9 degrees (25.5 degrees Celsius) in Druskininkai.
• Moldova: 84.9 degrees Celsius (29.7 degrees Celsius) in Singelai.
• Poland: 79.5 degrees Celsius (26.4 degrees Celsius) in Tarlow.

Numerous high temperature records were also set in Greece, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia.

In the east, all of Japan experienced midsummer temperatures until the end of March, returning to one of the warmest winters on record.

“On March 31st, an astonishing July-like heat blanketed Japan. 70 places broke or tied their monthly records.” Sayaka Moria meteorologist from NHK World wrote about X.

On the 31st, the temperature in Tokyo reached 82.6 degrees Celsius (28.1 degrees Celsius), breaking the previous monthly record by about 5 degrees Celsius. observation up to 1876.

In Tokyo, famous for its cherry blossoms, the heat suddenly arrived after an unusually cold spell. First flowering day in 12 years.

A number of other cities on Honshu set new March temperature records on Sunday, including Fuji, Nakamura, Narita, Tsukuba and Yokohama. Records were set for most of the length of the island.

Areas of Asia south and east of Japan are experiencing unprecedented heat. Hong Kong recorded its hottest day in March on the 24th, with temperatures reaching 88.7 degrees Celsius (31.5 degrees Celsius). phuket, thailand, On March 27, the temperature rose to 102.6 degrees Celsius (39.2 degrees Celsius), tying the highest temperature on record for that month.

Record-breaking heatwave also ended the month part of west africaCentral America and several tropical regions around the world.

In La Fragua, Guatemala, the temperature reached 111.2 degrees (44 degrees Celsius). Highest price in Central American history.Costa Rica was a hit Highest temperature on record The maximum temperature reached 106.7 degrees Celsius (41.5 degrees Celsius), a record high for cities in surrounding countries.

Solomon Islands recently registered. hottest day in marchhigh temperatures up to 95.9 degrees (35.5 degrees Celsius).

In addition to the record-breaking heat, additional records were set for unusually warm nights.

A study published Friday in Science Advances found that heat waves last longer and are more widespread.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is a 45.1% chance that 2024 will surpass 2023 as the warmest year on record, and a 99.9% chance that it will be in the top five warmest years. To date, global atmospheric and sea surface temperatures have remained at record high levels each day, significantly exceeding temperatures observed at the same time a year ago.

The planet’s exceptional warmth may ease slightly in the coming months, as the El Niño weather pattern, which naturally heats the Earth, is predicted to dissipate as we head into summer.