Extreme heat wave in Africa and Asia

[Nicko999]

Extreme heat wave in Africa and Asia continues to set all-time high temperature records

A withering heat wave of unprecedented intensity and areal covered continues to smash all-time high temperatures Asia and Africa. As I reported earlier this week, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Chad, Niger, Pakistan, and Myanmar have all set new records for their hottest temperatures of all time over the past six weeks. The remarkable heat continued over Africa and Asia late this week. The Asian portion of Russia recorded its highest temperate in history yesterday, when the mercury hit 42.4°C (108.3°F) at Belogorsk, near the Amur River border with China. The previous record was 41.7°C (107.1°F) at nearby Aksha on July 21, 2004. (The record for European Russia is 43.8°C--110.8°F--set on August 6, 1940, at Alexandrov Gaj near the border with Kazakhstan.) Also, on Thursday, Sudan recorded its hottest temperature in its history when the mercury rose to 49.6°C (121.3°F) at Dongola. The previous record was 49.5°C (121.1°F) set in July 1987 in Aba Hamed.

We've now had seven countries in Asia and Africa, plus the Asian portion of Russia, that have beaten their all-time hottest temperature record during the past two months. This includes Asia's hottest temperature of all-time, the astonishing 53.5°C (128.3°F) mark set on May 26 in Pakistan. All of these records are unofficial, and will need to be certified by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). According to Chris Burt, author of Extreme Weather, setting six national heat records in one month is eight in one summer is unprecedented. The only year which can compare is 2003, when five countries (the UK, France, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein) all broke their all-time heat records during that year's notorious summer heat wave. Fortunately, the residents of the countries affected by this summer's heat wave in Asia and Africa are more adapted to extreme high temperatures, and we are not seeing the kind of death tolls experienced during the 2003 European heat wave (30,000 killed.) This week's heat wave in Africa and the Middle East is partially a consequence of the fact that Earth has now seen three straight months with its warmest temperatures on record, according to NOAA's National Climatic Data Center. It will be interesting to see if the demise of El Niño in May will keep June from becoming the globe's fourth straight warmest month on record.
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http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=1519

[WeatherLovingDoc]

Thanks for this very interesting read, Nicko. Such extremes in high temperature must have huge human impact: dehydration, heat stoke, children, elderly care, pregnancy and birth impact. Of note too are the historical temperatures, and now new highs. I wonder how easily accessible clean water is to all these countries' peoples. Personal thoughts too for our troops, always in harms way, added to by this heat wave.

WLD

[Aslkahuna]

Actually, I believe (though I'll have to check) that Asia's record high temperature is 129F (53.9C) set in Israel (which geographically is considered to be in SW Asia). As we can see from various happenings around the globe, the rapid demise of the El Niño has not been reflected in the atmosphere which is still winding down from the Niño patterns. The heat is a consequence of the late start to the Asian Monsoon which has finally gotten organized and is about to start in the Philippines (about 2 weeks late). Here in AZ, despite the Imperial Rescript from NWS which declares the North American Monsoon in effect in the SW US from June 15 through September 30, the actual monsoon pattern is not yet in place. I did a check and here's the latest skinny. Mitraba Kuwait hit 54C (129.2F) on June 15 2010 while Tirat Tsvi Israel hit 53.9C (129F) on June 21 1942 for the two hottest temperatures in Asia. Have a ways to go though to beat the 136F in Libya and the 134F in Death Valley which are the two hottest global temperatures.

Steve

[Nicko999]

I don't think those record breaking temperatures are because of El Nino but because the oceans temperatures has never been higher.

The late start to the monsoon season combined with warm water temperatures is what creates this record heat.

[Aslkahuna]

Ah yes, but a late starting monsoon is one of the hallmarks of a post Niño season. The Niño is over to be sure but the atmosphere has not yet recovered. The water temperatures are not all that important for the heat-it's the strength and location of the pre monsoon H5 High that is because that is what provides the subsidence and compression for the heat and suppresses any convection. We see that here in AZ before our monsoon kicks in as that period of high heat is part of the process of establishing the monsoon. For the record, the record high temperature in AZ is 128F (53.4C) set in 1994.

Steve

[profitgs]

A withering heat wave of unprecedented intensity and areal extent continues to smash all-time high temperatures in Asia and Africa.

Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Chad, Niger, Pakistan, and Myanmar have all set new records for their hottest temperatures of all time over the past six weeks. The remarkable heat continued over Africa and Asia late this week.

The Asian portion of Russia recorded its highest temperature in history last week, when the mercury hit 108°F at Belogorsk, near the Amur River border with China.

Also, last week, Sudan recorded its hottest temperature in its history when the mercury rose to 121°F at Dongola.

There have now been seven countries in Asia and Africa, plus the Asian portion of Russia, that have surpassed their all-time hottest temperature record during the past two months. This includes Asia’s hottest temperature of all-time, the astonishing 128.3°F mark set on May 26 in Pakistan.

According to Chris Burt, author of Extreme Weather, setting six national heat records in one month is unprecedented. The only year which can compare is 2003, when six countries (the UK, France, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein) all broke their all-time heat records during that year’s notorious summer heat wave.

Last week’s heat wave in Africa and the Middle East is partially a consequence of the fact that Earth has now seen three straight months with its warmest temperatures on record, according to NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center. It will be interesting to see if the demise of El Niño in May will keep June from becoming the globe’s fourth straight warmest month on record.