Latest news with #tropicalnight
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Climate
- Al Jazeera
South Korea experiences most sweltering nights in July in history
South Korea has shattered a 117-year record for the number of sweltering nights in July amid a scorching heatwave. Temperatures in Seoul did not dip below 29.3 degrees Celsius (84.7 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight, marking the 22nd 'tropical night' so far this month, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said on Thursday. The KMA defines a tropical night as occurring when temperatures stay above 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) from 6:01pm to 9am the following day. The number of tropical nights in July is the highest since records began in 1908. The previous record for July was 21 tropical nights, set in 1994. South Korea has been grappling with blistering heat over the past week, with daily temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some parts of the country. At least 16 people have died from heat-related illnesses so far this year, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The milestone continues a recent trend of scorching temperatures across Asia, as scientists warn that human-driven climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather. On Wednesday, Japan said it experienced its hottest day in recorded history after the mercury hit 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.16 degrees Fahrenheit) in Tamba city, Hyogo prefecture. Earlier this month, Japan and South Korea both reported that June this year was the hottest on record, while China's National Climate Centre said the country had experienced a record number of days with temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or above since mid-March. In India, the National Disaster Management Authority last month issued a red alert for New Delhi after the heat index – which looks at temperature and humidity to measure perceived temperature – hit 51.9 degrees Celsius (125.4 degrees Fahrenheit). In April, Myanmar's weather agency said the country experienced the hottest day ever recorded for the month when the mercury hit 48.2 degrees Celsius (118.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in the central town of Chauk. While climate change is a concern worldwide, Asia has been particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures, according to scientists. In its latest climate report released last month, the World Meteorological Organization said Asia was warming nearly twice as fast as the global average. The average temperature of Asia's landmass last year was about 1.04 degrees Celsius (33.87 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1991-2020 trend, according to the WMO, making 2024 either the warmest or second warmest year on record, depending on the dataset used.
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Climate
- Al Jazeera
South Korea breaks 117-year record with 22 ‘tropical nights' in July
South Korea has shattered a 117-year record for the number of sweltering nights in July amid a scorching heatwave. Temperatures in Seoul did not dip below 29.3 degrees Celsius (84.7 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight, marking the 22nd 'tropical night' so far this month, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said on Thursday. The KMA defines a tropical night as occurring when temperatures stay above 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) from 6:01pm to 9am the following day. The previous record for July was 21 tropical nights, set in 1994. South Korea has been grappling with blistering heat over the past week, with daily temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some parts of the country. At least 16 people have died from heat-related illnesses so far this year, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The milestone continues a recent trend of scorching temperatures across Asia, as scientists warn that human-driven climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather. On Wednesday, Japan said it experienced its hottest day in recorded history after the mercury hit 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.16 degrees Fahrenheit) in Tamba city, Hyogo prefecture. Earlier this month, Japan and South Korea both reported that June this year was the hottest on record, while China's National Climate Centre said the country had experienced a record number of days with temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or above since mid-March. In India, the National Disaster Management Authority last month issued a red alert for New Delhi after the heat index – which looks at temperature and humidity to measure perceived temperature – hit 51.9 degrees Celsius (125.4 degrees Fahrenheit). In April, Myanmar's weather agency said the country experienced the hottest day ever recorded for the month when the mercury hit 48.2 degrees Celsius (118.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in the central town of Chauk. While climate change is a concern worldwide, Asia has been particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures, according to scientists. In its latest climate report released last month, the World Meteorological Organization said Asia was warming nearly twice as fast as the global average. The average temperature of Asia's landmass last year was about 1.04 degrees Celsius (33.87 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1991-2020 trend, according to the WMO, making 2024 either the warmest or second warmest year on record, depending on the dataset used.
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Brits set to endure sleepless night amid heatwave
Warm temperatures could lead to the UK experiencing its first 'tropical night' of the year. A tropical night is where overnight temperatures do not drop below 20C; this could happen on Friday. Scientists indicate that the chance of UK temperatures exceeding 40C has increased significantly, and is now 20 times more likely than in the 1960s due to climate change. Amber heat-health alerts are in effect for all of England until 9am on Monday, with people asked to take precautions out in the warm weather. The health alerts suggest potential significant impacts on health and social care services, including a possible rise in deaths among vulnerable groups and increased demand for health services.
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
UK set for first tropical night of the year as 33C heatwave approaches
The UK could see its first tropical night of the year as the country is expected to enter a heatwave by the end of this week. The hot spell is set to peak on Saturday, where temperatures could hit 33C in the south east, while remaining generally warm across the UK with highs of 26C in Manchester and 25C in Edinburgh. The Met Office predicts hazy sunshine with isolated showers and possible thunder. But as temperatures are set to remain high into Sunday, it's possible the UK could see its first tropical night of the year on Friday night, in which overnight temperatures do not drop below 20C. Tropical nights are expected to become more common in the UK during the summer months, particularly for parts of south-east England, as the Met Office revealed that UK heatwaves could become longer and hotter due to escalating climate trends. Scientists have said that the chance of temperatures exceeding 40C in the UK is accelerating at a rapid pace due to climate change after the forecaster marked the sunniest and driest spring on record. Senior scientist at the Met Office, Dr Gillian Kay, recently published a new report underscoring the need for organisations to prepare for new heat extremes in the near future. Dr Kay said: "The chance of exceeding 40C has been rapidly increasing, and it is now over 20 times more likely than it was in the 1960s. Because our climate continues to warm, we can expect the chance to keep rising. We estimate a 50-50 chance of seeing a 40°C day again in the next 12 years. We also found that temperatures several degrees higher than we saw in July 2022 are possible in today's climate.' Yellow heat-health alerts have been put in place by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for all regions of England except the north east and north west. These came into force at midday on Wednesday and will last until 6pm on Sunday. The health body's alert suggests that health and social care services may be significantly impacted by high temperatures, with a rise in deaths possible among those aged 65 and above and people with health conditions. Younger age groups may also be impacted, as the service predicted a 'likely increase in demand for health services '. Temperatures in care settings may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment and impact workforces. Thursday Cloud and patchy light rain across Scotland will steadily clear northwards. Elsewhere dry with sunny spells, but the odd shower possible in the far southwest later. Breezier, especially in the southwest, but still very warm. A fine evening but turning cloudier with the odd shower in the southwest by dawn, most places remaining dry. Very mild and muggy in the west, with a strengthening breeze. Friday Very warm, dry and sunny once again. Isolated showers possible across northern Scotland and southwest England, isolated thunder possible in the southwest. Breezy along southern and eastern coasts. Saturday to Monday Hazy sunshine on Saturday with isolated showers, perhaps thundery. Occasional bright spells on Sunday with cloudier skies arriving into Monday. Feeling warm to start then turning fresher from Sunday.
