In recent days, many countries around the world have experienced a significant rise in temperatures, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people so far, prompting widespread warnings from authorities. Even before the official start of summer on June 20, a heat wave has swept through, affecting millions globally, with expectations for record temperatures that could surpass those recorded last summer, which was the hottest in over two decades. Last year was the hottest on record worldwide, and according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a 50% chance that 2024 will break this record. In any case, it is expected to be among the five hottest years, according to the agency.
When will the heat wave end? The CEO of Arab Weather Center, Mohammed Al-Shakir, confirms that the wave of heat has begun to subside, and within a few days, temperatures are expected to moderate and return to normal levels in most countries of the Levant, Egypt, and Libya. He explains in statements to the "Al-Hurra" website that "the hot weather has concentrated in the Levant region, Egypt, and Libya at levels higher than usual in recent days, but these are not record temperatures, meaning they have not exceeded previous averages for these areas during past periods."
According to the "Central Climate" group based in New Jersey, which includes independent scientists, the rise in temperatures in the Middle East, the Mediterranean region, and North Africa is linked to climate change, affecting more than 290 million people in the region who have experienced unprecedented hot weather. They noted that since June 11, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Algeria, Egypt, Turkey, and Greece have been affected by elevated temperatures, with some areas exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
The first significant heat wave of the year is currently impacting the northeastern United States, an early heat wave as summer has just begun. Around 95 million Americans have received heat alerts, according to the government’s "heat.gov" website. This situation is expected to continue until the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service.
A report published by the "Washington Post" states that the "worst temperatures" in the United States may affect some states in the coming days, with temperatures potentially exceeding 43 degrees Celsius, lasting for several days. Predictions indicate that the most intense heat will move from the southern and western United States to the southeast and midsection in the coming days, while areas near the Atlantic coast are facing a "heat hazard" from levels three and four, which are considered "dangerous to human health." It is unclear when the heat wave will recede in the United States, although it "will intensify in some areas and recede in others," but "the persistence of heat in some regions" is what concerns authorities the most, according to the newspaper.
Upcoming Heat Waves Al-Shakir states that by the end of June, it is likely that a new heat wave will come to the Middle Eastern countries, but with lower levels than those currently being experienced. Weather indicators for July suggest that temperatures will be close to or lower than their normal averages in the Levant countries and some parts of North Africa, according to Al-Shakir. He explains that the Gulf countries are experiencing hot weather at normal levels for this time of year, while North African countries have had cooler weather than average, but by late June, Algeria, Tunisia, and parts of Morocco are expected to see a significant rise in temperatures, especially in coastal areas.
