22-7-2023 (ATHENS) As Greece faces its hottest July weekend in 50 years, with temperatures predicted to surpass 40 degrees Celsius, a record-breaking heatwave sweeping across the southern United States is expected to intensify in the coming days. This scorching weather pattern has affected tens of millions of people in the northern hemisphere, contributing to what could be the hottest July on record globally.
Climate experts are attributing these extreme temperatures to the impacts of climate change, largely driven by the burning of fossil fuels, leading to a surge in global warming and destructive weather events.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in the United States warns that approximately 80 million Americans will experience temperatures of 41 degrees Celsius or higher this weekend. Phoenix, Arizona, is expected to bear the brunt of the heat, with forecasted temperatures reaching a staggering 46 degrees Celsius. The city has already endured three consecutive weeks of temperatures exceeding 43 degrees Celsius.
Tragically, on Thursday, a severe blaze erupted at a propane business near Phoenix’s international airport, causing propane tanks to explode into the air. Fire Captain Rob McDade of the KPHO television station described the dangerous situation, stating that the heat caused the propane tanks to become “missiles” that could travel distances of up to 500 meters.
Despite the extreme conditions, tourists have flocked to Death Valley National Park, which straddles the border between California and Nevada, in a bid to capture selfies with the temperature display outside the visitor center. Many are hoping to witness the park break the world record for the highest temperature ever recorded, set at 56.7 degrees Celsius in July 1913. However, some meteorologists believe that measurement may have been faulty.
July 2023 is on track to become the hottest month in recorded history, as confirmed by NASA climatologist Gavin Schmidt. The effects of this heatwave cannot solely be attributed to the El Nino weather pattern, which has only recently emerged and is not expected to strengthen until later in the year. El Nino is characterized by warming ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
Schmidt emphasizes that the ongoing trend of extreme heat can be linked to the continued release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, indicating that the situation is likely to persist.
Greece, already grappling with numerous forest fires, has issued warnings for people to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities due to the blistering heat. Iconic tourist sites such as the Acropolis will be closed during the hottest part of the day for safety reasons.
Meteorologist Panagiotis Giannopoulos of state broadcaster ERT cautions that this weekend may be the hottest July registered in the past five decades. Athens is expected to endure temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius for six to seven consecutive days, continuing until the end of the month.
Such an extended period of scorching temperatures is highly unusual for the Greek capital. Sunday is predicted to be the hottest day, with temperatures possibly reaching 44 degrees Celsius, while the central region of Thessalia could face a staggering 45 degrees Celsius.
Tragically, a 46-year-old man succumbed to heatstroke on the central Greek island of Evia and was admitted to Chalkida hospital, where cardio-respiratory failure due to exposure to high temperatures was cited as the cause of death.
The national meteorological institute EMY reported temperatures of 41 degrees Celsius in the Attica region, encompassing the capital Athens, and forecasts suggest Thessalia may reach up to 44 degrees Celsius.
Yannis Kallianos, a meteorologist with private broadcaster Mega, describes the heatwave as “interminable and powerful.” According to latest predictions, the heatwave could persist until the end of next week, with the added concern of strong northerly winds potentially igniting fires.
Greek authorities continue to battle 79 forest fires across the country, and the nation remains on high alert throughout the weekend.
