A look at global temperature data already impressively reveals the effects of the climate crisis. In China, for example, we are currently experiencing an unprecedented heat wave – the many air conditioning systems have already skyrocketed electricity consumption. New record values are expected in the south of the country in the coming days. Meanwhile, Finland is experiencing unusually cold weather for this time of year.
In some parts of southern China, the state’s weather service expects temperatures to exceed 40 degrees Celsius – temperatures of more than 35 degrees are already record-breaking in the region. Dongchuan is particularly notable, where the temperature has already reached 42.2 degrees Celsius – the municipality is located at 1250 meters above sea level. Last Monday, Shanghai also recorded the warmest May day in more than 100 years.
Week after week new heat records
The heat waves in themselves are not surprising, says climate scientist Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick of the University of New South Wales. What is special, however, is that heat records are broken week after week. In addition to China, many parts of Asia are also under a heat blanket before the start of summer in the northern hemisphere. Electricity consumption in southern China has skyrocketed in recent days, partly due to air conditioning.
Historical electricity values for the summer
The power grid operator China Southern Power Grid recorded a peak load of more than 200 million kilowatts, reaching near-historic highs before the start of the summer. In parts of the Yangtze River Delta, including Shanghai and parts of southwest China such as Sichuan and Yunnan, temperatures in June will be one to two degrees higher than average in recent years, said deputy director of the National Climate Center Gao Rong .
As early as the summer of 2022, the extreme heat forced the Chinese authorities to reduce power consumption. Electricity production from hydropower plants, which plays an important role in major provinces such as Sichuan, has been severely restricted in some cases.
Cold plate cannot compensate for heat
On the other hand, the opposite extreme weather is evident in Finland – an impressive mass of cold is currently moving across the north of the country. With minus 7.7 degrees Celsius, a new cold record was recorded in June. Due to the accompanying winds, the temperatures seem even colder. According to this so-called wind chill effect, the temperature felt more like minus 18 degrees.
However, the cold in Finland is nowhere near enough to offset the relentless heat waves elsewhere. According to statistics from the last 40 years, for every cold record there are at least nine heat records.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
