According to an analysis, the likelihood of a heatwave like the one currently hitting the Mediterranean has increased significantly in the wake of the climate crisis, with current temperatures, especially in Greece, up to five times more likely.
Greece is experiencing its hottest July on record, with 14 consecutive days above 40 degrees, according to US nonprofit Climate Central.
Even now, in mid-August, the expectation is that it will be three to six degrees too warm for days on end – just like in Italy, France and Albania. In Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Hungary and Austria, even six to ten degrees too warm is expected.
The Mediterranean Sea is much too warm
According to the German weather service, temperatures were above 30 degrees Celsius in almost the entire Mediterranean region on Wednesday. It should remain warm in the coming days, with temperatures of up to 38 degrees in Athens and a high risk of forest fires. A large fire had been raging there for several days.
Since measurements began in 1982, the water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea has never been as high as it is now:
“We know that weather events that increase the risk of wildfires are directly related to climate change,” said Andrew Pershing, lead author of the analysis. Climate change is causing long periods of drought and heat, which increases the risk of fire.
“We need to keep coal, oil and gas in the ground,” Pershing stressed. “Otherwise, these hot summers with extreme temperatures will become the new norm in the Mediterranean. Not just in Greece, but in the entire region.”
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.
