Extreme Temperatures Reported across Globe

July 24, 2018

Paris- Temperatures rose across the globe including the Arctic in June and July, causing unusual scorching heat, the World Meteorological Organization has said.

The U.N. climate body cited a heat wave in Canada that killed many people as an example of the damage that has been caused worldwide.

In northern Europe, stalled high-pressure systems have kept temperatures 3 to 6 degrees above normal-year levels.

Concerns have been raised over the impact of the heat on agricultural crops since the region also suffers from serious water shortages due to the lack of rainfall.

In the Arctic, the mercury rose to 33 degrees Celsius in Norway and Finland in July. In Sweden, about 50 forest fires were reported.

In Death Valley in California, where the world record of 56.7 degrees was registered in July 1913, the temperature hit 52.0 degrees this month.

In Chino, near Los Angeles, the mercury rose to 48.9 degrees while the Sahara Desert in Algeria marked 51.3 degrees.

In Quebec, eastern Canada, increased humidity in addition to the heat caused the deaths of dozens of people, including elderly residents.

Meanwhile, snow was reported on the island of Newfoundland, eastern Canada, on June 26. About two centimeters of snow accumulated on the ground, according to local media reports.

The U.N. climate body says the unusual climate events "are compatible with the general long-term trend due to rising concentrations of greenhouse gases." Jiji Press