Heatwaves Shatter Temperature Records in Iceland, Greenland
(MENAFN) Temperatures across Iceland this May have reached unprecedented levels, surpassing previous records by a significant margin.
According to the WWA, “Temperatures over Iceland as observed this May are record-breaking, more than 13 degrees Celsius hotter than the 1991-2020 average May daily maximum temperatures.”
This intense heat marks a notable departure from typical weather patterns in the region.
The meteorological institute reported that an overwhelming 84 percent of weather stations nationwide recorded new temperature highs during May, underscoring the widespread nature of the heatwave.
The event was not confined to Iceland alone; in eastern Greenland, the peak temperature during the heatwave was noted to be 3.9 degrees Celsius higher than conditions seen in the preindustrial climate, as highlighted by the WWA.
The WWA further explained that such extreme temperatures are extraordinarily rare, stating that record-breaking heat like that experienced this May in Iceland and Greenland is an event that “only once every 100 years” might happen again.
This rarity underlines the severity and uniqueness of the current climate situation in these cold-adapted areas.
Heatwaves in regions traditionally accustomed to cold climates, such as Greenland and Iceland, have particularly distinctive consequences.
“In Greenland and Iceland, infrastructure is built for cold weather, meaning during a heat wave, ice melt can lead to flooding and damage roads and infrastructure,” the WWA elaborated.
This vulnerability puts local communities and essential services at significant risk during such heat events.
On May 15, Iceland witnessed temperatures climbing above 26 degrees Celsius, an exceptionally rare occurrence in this typically cool environment.
The heat created dangerous conditions, including bituminous bleeding on roads, which made driving hazardous in Iceland.
Meanwhile, in Greenland, the warmer climate caused sea ice to fracture, posing serious threats to communities reliant on the ice for traditional activities such as hunting, fishing, and transportation.
The WWA’s assessment attributes the extreme warmth to the effects of climate change, concluding that the heatwave was roughly 3°C hotter and approximately 40 times more likely to happen due to global warming.
This analysis underscores the growing influence of human-driven climate shifts on weather extremes in the Arctic regions.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
