List of heat waves

This is a partial list of significant heat waves, listed in order of occurrence.

19th century

• 1896 Eastern North America heat wave killed 1,500 people in August 1896.

20th century

• 1901 eastern United States heat wave killed 9,500 in the eastern United States.
• 1906 – During the 1906 United Kingdom heat wave which began in August and lasted into September broke numerous records. On the 2nd temperatures reached 36°C (96°F) which still holds the September record however some places beat their local record during September 1911 and September 2016.
• 1911 – The 1911 United Kingdom heat wave was one of the most severe periods of heat to hit the country with temperatures around 36°C (97°F). The heat began in early July and didn't let up until mid September where even in September temperatures were still up to 33°C (92°F). It took 79 years for temperature higher to be recorded in the United Kingdom during 1990 United Kingdom heat wave.
• 1923–1924 – During a period of 160 such days from 31 October 1923 to 7 April 1924, the Western Australian town of Marble 100 °F (38 °C).^[1]
• 1936 – The 1936 North American heat wave during the Dust Bowl, followed one of the coldest winters on record—the 1936 North American cold wave. Massive heat waves across North America were persistent in the 1930s, many mid-Atlantic/Ohio valley states recorded their highest temperatures during July 1934. The longest continuous string of 100 °F (38 °C) or higher temperatures was reached for 101 days in Yuma, Arizona during 1937 and the highest temperatures ever reached in Canada were recorded in two locations in Saskatchewan in July 1937.
• 1950s – A prolonged severe drought and heat wave occurred in the early 1950s throughout the central and southern United States. In some areas it was drier than during the Dust Bowl and the heat wave in most areas was within the top five on record. The heat was particularly severe in 1954 with 22 days of temperatures exceeding 100 °F (38 °C) covering significant parts of eleven states. On 14 July, the thermometer reached 117 °F (47 °C) at East St. Louis, Illinois, which remains the record highest temperature for that state.^[2][3][4]
• 1955 - The 1955 United Kingdom heat wave was a period of hot weather that was accompanied by drought. In some places it was the worst drought on record, more severe than 1976 and 1995.
• 1960 2 January - Oodnadatta, South Australia hit 50.7 °C (123.3 °F) degrees, the highest temperature ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere and Oceania.
• 1972 – The heat waves of 1972 in New York and Northeastern United States were significant. Almost 900 people perished; the heat conditions lasted almost 16 days, aggravated by very high humidity levels.
• 1976 – The 1976 United Kingdom heat wave was one of the hottest in living memory and was marked by constant blue skies from May until September when dramatic thunderstorms signaled the heat wave's end.
• 1980 – An estimated 1,000 people perished in the 1980 United States heat wave and drought, which impacted the central and eastern United States. Temperatures were highest in the southern plains. From June through September, temperatures remained above 90 °F (32 °C) all but two days in Kansas City, Missouri. The Dallas/Fort Worth area experienced 42 consecutive days with high temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C), with temperatures reaching 117 °F (47 °C) at Wichita Falls, Texas on 28 June. Economic losses were $20 billion (1980 dollars).^[5]
• 1983 – During the Summer of 1983 temperatures over 100 °F (38 °C) were common across Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, and certain parts of Kentucky; the summer of 1983 remains one of the hottest summers ever recorded in many of the states affected. The hundred-degree readings were accompanied by very dry conditions associated with drought affecting the Corn Belt States and Upper Midwest. The heat also affected the Southeastern U.S. and the Mid-Atlantic states as well that same summer. New York Times represented articles about the heat waves of 1983 affecting the central United States.^[6] This heat wave was associated with the I-94 derecho.
• 1983 – The United Kingdom experienced a heatwave during July 1983. This was the hottest month ever recorded until it was beaten in 2006. The heatwave is remembered, not for its extreme heat but the relentless heat with temperatures around 32°C (90°F) everyday. Temperature maxima for the month were high but not especially so.

Temperature difference in Europe from the average during the European heat wave of 2003

• 1987 – prolonged heat wave from 20 to 31 July in Greece, with more than 1,000 deaths in the area of Athens. The maximum temperature measured was 41.6 °C at 23 July at the center of Athens and in the suburb of Nea Philadelphia, 8 km northeast was 43.6 °C at 27 July, and were combined with high minima, with the highest being 30.2 °C in the center of Athens at 27 July and 29.9 °C at 24 July at Nea Philadelfia. The lowest minimum was 25.6 °C at the center of Athens. Moreover, humidity was high and wind speeds low, contributing to human discomfort, even during the night.^[7]
• 1988 - intense heat spells in combination with the drought of 1988, reminiscent of the dust bowl years caused deadly results across the United States. Some 5,000 to 10,000 people perished because of constant heat across the United States although-according to many estimates-total death reports run as high as next to 17,000 deaths.^[8]
• 1990 – Cities across the United Kingdom broke their all time temperature records in the dramatic 1990 United Kingdom heat wave temperatures peaked at 37°C (99°F). This led to one of the hottest Augusts on record, records going back to 1659.
• 1995 – The 1995 Chicago heat wave produced record high dew point levels and heat indices in the Chicago area and Wisconsin. The lack of emergency cooling facilities and inadequate response from civic authorities to the senior population, particularly in lower income neighborhoods in Chicago and other Midwestern cities, lead to many hundreds of deaths. A series of damaging derechos occurred on the periphery of the hot air dome.
• 1995 – The United Kingdom experienced its 3rd hottest summer since 1659. August was the hottest on record since 1659. The summer was also the driest on record since 1766. Temperatures peaked at 35°C (95°F) on the 1st of August, which did not break the all-time record.
• 1997 – The United Kingdom experienced its 3rd major heatwave in 7 years with August 1997 being one of the hottest on record.
• 1999 – a heat wave and drought in the eastern United States during the summer of 1999. Rainfall shortages resulted in worst drought on record for Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. The state of West Virginia was declared a disaster area. 3,810,000 acres (15,400 km²) were consumed by fire as of mid-August. Record heat throughout the country resulted in 502 deaths nationwide.^[9] There were many deaths in urban centers of the Midwest.

21st century

2000–2009

• 2000 – in late Summer 2000, a heat wave occurred in the southern United States, breaking many cities' all-time maximum temperature records.
• In early August 2001 an intense heatwave hit the eastern seaboard of the United States and neighboring southeastern Canada. For over a week, temperatures climbed above 35 °C (95 °F) combined with stifling high humidity. Newark, New Jersey tied its all-time record high temperature of 41 °C (106 °F) with a heat index of over 50 °C (122 °F).^[10]
• In April 2002 a summer-like heat wave in spring affected much of the Eastern United States.
• More than 46,000 people^[11] and perhaps in excess of 70,000^[12] died in the European heat wave of 2003. Much of the heat was concentrated in France, where nearly 15,000 people died.^[13] In Portugal, the temperatures reached as high as 47 °C (117 °F) in the south.
• The European heat wave of 2006 was the second massive heat wave to hit the continent in four years, with temperatures rising to 40 °C (104 °F) in Paris; in Ireland, which has a moderate maritime climate, temperatures of over 32 °C (90 °F) were reported. Temperatures of 35 °C (95 °F) were reached in the Benelux and Germany (in some areas 38 °C (100 °F)), while Great Britain recorded 37 °C (99 °F). Many heat records were broken (including the hottest ever July temperature in Great Britain) and many people who experienced the heat waves of 1976 and 2003 drew comparisons with them. Highest average July temperatures were recorded at many locations in Great Britain, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Germany.
• The 2006 North American heat wave affected a wide area of the United States and parts of neighboring Canada during July and August 2006. Over 220 deaths were reported. Temperatures in some parts of South Dakota exceeded 115 °F (46 °C). Also, California experienced temperatures that were extraordinarily high, with records ranging from 100 to 130 °F (38 to 54 °C). On 22 July, the County of Los Angeles recorded its highest temperature ever at 119 °F (48 °C). Humidity levels in California were also unusually high, although low compared with normal gulf coast/eastern seaboard summer humidity they were significant enough to cause widespread discomfort.^[14] Additionally, the heat wave was associated a series of derechos that produced widespread damage.
• The European heat wave of 2007 affected primarily south-eastern Europe during late June through August. Bulgaria experienced its hottest year on record, with previously unrecorded temperatures above 45 °C (113 °F). The 2007 Greek forest fires were associated with the heat wave.
• During the 2007 Asian heat wave, the Indian city of Datia experienced temperatures of 48 °C (118 °F).
• In January 2008, Alice Springs in Australia's Northern Territory recorded ten consecutive days of temperatures above 40 °C (104 °F) with the average temperature for that month being 39.8 °C (103.6 °F). In March 2008, Adelaide, South Australia experienced maximum temperatures of above 35 °C (95 °F) for fifteen consecutive days, seven days more than the previous longest stretch of 35 °C (95 °F) days. The March 2008 heat wave also included eleven consecutive days above 38 °C (100 °F).^[15] The heat wave was especially notable because it occurred in March, an autumn month, in which Adelaide averages only 2.3 days above 35 °C (95 °F).^[16]
• The eastern United States experienced an early Summer heat wave from 6–10 June 2008 with record temperatures.^[17][18] There was a heat wave in Southern California beginning late June,^[19] which contributed to widespread fires. On 6 July, a renewed heat wave was forecast, which was expected to affect the entire state.^[20][21]
• In early 2009, Adelaide, South Australia was hit by a heat wave with temperatures reaching 40+ °C for six days in a row, while many rural areas experienced temperatures hovering around about mid 40s °C (mid 110s°F). Kyancutta on the Eyre Peninsula endured at least one day at 48 °C, with 46 and 47 being common in the hottest parts of the state. Melbourne, in neighbouring Victoria recorded 3 consecutive days over 43 °C (109 °F), and also recorded its highest ever temperature 8 days later in a secondary heatwave, with the mercury peaking at 46.4 °C (115.5 °F). During this heat wave Victoria suffered from large bushfires which claimed the lives of 173 people and destroyed more than 2,500 homes. There were also over half a million people without power as the heatwave blew transformers and the power grid was overloaded.
• In August 2009, Argentina experienced a period of unusual and exceptionally hot weather during 24–30 August, during the Southern Hemisphere winter, just a month before Spring,^[22] when an unusual and unrecorded winter heat wave hit the country. A shot of tropical heat drawn unusually far southward hiked temperatures 22 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal in the city of Buenos Aires and across the northern-centre regions of the country. Several records were broken. Even though normal high temperatures for late August are in the lower 15 °C (59 °F), readings topped 30 °C (86 °F) degrees at midweek, then topped out above 32 °C (90 °F) degrees during the weekend.^[23] Temperatures hit 33.8 °C (92.8 °F) on 29 August and finally 34.6 °C (94.3 °F) on 30 August in Buenos Aires, making it the hottest day ever recorded in winter breaking the 1996 winter record of 33.7 °C (92.7 °F). In the city of Santa Fe, 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) degrees on 30 August was registered, notwithstanding the normal high in the upper 15 °C/60°Fs. As per the Meteorological Office of Argentina, August 2009 has been the warmest month during winter since official measurements began.^[24]

2010–present

• The Northern Hemisphere summer heat wave of 2010 affected many areas across the Northern Hemisphere, especially parts of Northeastern China and European Russia.^[25]
• Starting in May 2010, records were being set. On 26 May, at Mohenjo-daro, Sindh province in Pakistan a national record high temperature of 53.5 °C (128.3 °F) occurred.
• In June 2010, Eastern Europe experienced very warm conditions. Ruse, Bulgaria hit 36.6 °C (97.9 °F) on the 13th making it the warmest spot in Europe. Other records broken on the 13th include Vidin, Bulgaria at 35.8 °C (96.4 °F), Sandanski, Bulgaria hitting 35.5 °C (95.9 °F), Lovech and Pazardzhik, Bulgaria at 35.1 °C (95.2 °F) as well as the capital, Sofia, hitting 33.3 °C (91.9 °F). The heat came from the Sahara desert and was not associated with rain. This helped the situation with high water levels in that part of the continent.^[26] On the 14th, several cities were once again above the 35 °C (95 °F) mark even though they did not break records. The only cities in Bulgaria breaking records were Musala peak hitting 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) and Elhovo hitting 35.6 °C (96.1 °F).^[27] On the 15th, Ruse, Bulgaria peaked at 37.2 °C (99.0 °F). Although it was not a record, this was the highest temperature recorded in the country. Five Bulgarian cities broke records that day: Ahtopol hit 28.6 °C (83.5 °F), Dobrich was 33.8 °C (92.8 °F), Karnobat hit 34 °C (93 °F), Sliven hit 35 °C (95 °F) and Elhovo recorded 36.1 °C (97.0 °F).^[28]
• From 4 to 9 July 2010, the majority of the American East Coast, from the Carolinas to Maine, was gripped in a severe heat wave. Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Washington, Raleigh, and even Boston eclipsed 100 °F (38 °C). Many records were broken, some of which dated back to the 19th century, including Wilmington, Delaware's temperature of 103 °F (39 °C) on Wednesday, 7 July, which broke the record of 97 °F (36 °C) from 1897. Philadelphia and New York eclipsed 100 °F (38 °C) for the first time since 2001. Frederick, Maryland, and Newark, New Jersey, among others topped the century mark (37.8 Celsius) for four days in a row.^[29]
• The 2011 North American heat wave brought record heat to the Midwestern United States, Eastern Canada, and much of the Eastern Seaboard.
• A record-breaking heat wave hit Southwestern Asia in late July and early August 2011, with temperatures in Iraq exceeding 120 °F (49 °C),^[30] and an "asphalt-melting, earth-parching, brain-scrambling heat of midsummer" in Tbilisi, Georgia.^[31] The Iraqis were further challenged by pressure to fast during Ramadan, despite heat of 124 °F (51 °C) in Baghdad and 126 °F (52 °C) in Diwaniya on 4 August.^[30] The extreme heat inspired conspiracy theories of the government corruption in Iraq and retaliation from the United States government;^[30] and, in Georgia, the Apocalypse, mutant locusts caused by Chernobyl, snakes imported by unseen enemies, and sun spots.^[31]
• Most parts of the United Kingdom experienced an Indian summer between September and October 2011. The heat wave resulted in a new record high temperature for October at 30 °C.^[32]

Land surface temperatures of 8–15 March 2012. Land surface temperatures are distinct from the air temperatures that meteorological stations typically measure.

• In March 2012, one of the greatest heat waves was observed in many regions of North America. First very warm air pushed northward west of the Great Lakes region, and subsequently spread eastward. This air mass movement was propelled by an unusually intense low level southerly jet that stretched from Louisiana to western Wisconsin. Once this warm surge inundated the area, a remarkably prolonged period of record setting temperatures ensued.^[33] NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reported that over 7000 daily record high temperatures were broken over the U.S. from 1 March thru 27 March.^[33] In some places the temperature exceeded 30 °C (86 °F) with anomalies up to +22 °C. Temperature records across much of southern Canada were also demolished.^[34]
• In March 2012, the United Kingdom experienced a heat wave with temperature anomalies of +10 °C in many places.^[35]
• In late June 2012, much of North America began experiencing a heat wave, as heat spread east from the Rocky Mountains. During the heat wave, the June 2012 North American derecho (one within a series) caused violent storms that downed trees and power lines, leaving 3 million people in the eastern U. S. without power on 30 June.^[36] The heat lasted until Mid-August in some parts of the country.
• The Australian summer of 2012–2013, known as the Angry Summer or Extreme Summer, resulted in 123 weather records being broken over a 90-day period, including the hottest day ever recorded for Australia as a whole, the hottest January on record, the hottest summer average on record, and a record seven days in row when the whole continent averaged above 39 °C.^[37][38] Single-day temperature record were broken in dozens of towns and cities, as well as single-day rainfall records, and several rivers flooded to new record highs.^[37] From 28 December 2012 through at least 9 January 2013 Australia has faced its most severe heatwave in over 80 years, with a large portion of the nation recording high temperature reading above 40 °C to 45 °C or greater in some areas, a couple spots have also neared 50 °C. This extreme heat has also resulted in a 'flash' drought across southern and central areas of the country and has sparked several massive wildfires due to periodic high winds.^[39]
• In late June 2013, an intense heat wave struck the Southwestern United States. Various places in Southern California reached up to 122 °F (50 °C).^[40] On 30 June, Death Valley, California hit 129.2 °F (54.0 °C) which is the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth during the month of June. It was five degrees shy of the world record highest temperature measured in Death Valley, which was 134 °F (57 °C), recorded in July 1913.^[41]
• Around Canada Day 2013, the same heatwave that hit the Southwestern United States moved north and hit southern British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. Temperatures in BC hit 40 °C (104 °F) in Lytton on 1 July 2013, and on 2 July 2013, the city of Penticton hit 38 °C (100 °F), with both Summerland and Osoyoos hitting the same. The Tri-Cities in Washington were among the hottest, with temperatures around 110 °F (43 °C).^[42][43][44]
• In China from July to August 2013, the South continued to experience an unusually severe heat wave with exceptionally high temperatures. In multiple regions of Zhejiang, Chongqing, Shanghai, Hunan, and other areas the temperatures soared to over 40 degrees Celsius and lasted for a long time. Xinchang and Zhejiang endured extreme hot weather of 44.1 ℃, on 8 August Ningbo reached a new all-time record high temperature of 43.5 ℃, Changsha, Hunan in July 2013 achieved a high temperature "Grand Slam", all 31 days in July set a new daily record high temperature of over 40 ℃. Hangzhou experienced 56 consecutive days over 40 ℃ while Shanghai shattered 140 years of meteorological records to set a new all-time record high temperature of 40.8 ℃. Sustained high temperatures caused many people, especially the elderly to get heatstroke or sunstroke, seriously affecting millions of lives. Many areas throughout China endured record high temperatures resulting in multiple continuous meteorological department issued high-temperature orange or red alerts. 2013 saw a wide range of abnormally hot temperatures not seen for the past 60 years of national meteorological records dating back to 1951.
• In July 2013, the United Kingdom experienced the warmest July since 2006.^[45]
• Between April to May 2015, a heat wave occurred in India, killing more than 2200 people in that country's different geographical regions. Daytime temperatures hovered between 45 and 47 ℃ (113–116 F) in parts of two states over the weekend, 3–7 ℃ (5-12F) above normal. Andhra Pradesh was hardest hit, with 1,636 people dying from the heat since mid-April, a government statement said. A further 561 people have died in neighboring Telangana, said Sada Bhargavi, a state disaster management commissioner.^[46]
• Starting 20–21 June 2015, a severe heat wave has killed more than 2500 people in Karachi, Pakistan.^[47]
• Between June 28 – July 3, 2015, in The Northwest United States, and southern British Columbia, a heat wave
• Between June 30 -July 5, 2015, a heat wave, brought upon by a Spanish plume, occurred in Western Europe, which pushed hot temperatures from Morocco to England. Temperatures in England reached 37°C (99°F), beating the previous July record from 2006 but the all-time record of 102°F stayed unbeaten.
• In August 2015, a heat wave affected much of the Middle East causing almost a hundred deaths in Egypt.^[48] Temperatures reached above 50 C in Iraq and Qatar.^[48]
• During June 2016, record heat appeared in Arizona, southern Nevada, and southern California. Burbank, California reached 111 °F, Phoenix, Arizona reached 118 °F, Yuma, Arizona reached 120 °F and Tucson, Arizona reached 115 °F, its warmest temperature in more than 20 years, on June 19. Riverside, California reached 114 °F, Palm Springs, California reached 122 °F, Las Vegas, Nevada reached 115 °F, Death Valley reached 126 °F, Needles, California tied its all-time record high of 125 °F while Blythe, California set a new all-time record high of 124 °F on June 20.^[49][50][51]
• In July 2016, Mitribah, Kuwait reached 129.2 °F (54 °C) and Basra, Iraq reached 129 °F (53.9 °C). These are the highest temperatures ever recorded in the Eastern Hemisphere and on planet Earth outside of Death Valley.^{[52][53][54][55][56]}
• During September 2016, the United Kingdom experienced its hottest September day since 1911 with temperatures as high as 34.4°C (93.9°F) on the 13th. However the all time September record still stands at 35.6°C from 1906.
• In June 2017, the 2017 North American heat wave grounded more than 40 airline flights of small aircraft, with American Airlines reducing sales on certain flights to prevent the vehicles from being over the maximum weight permitted for safe takeoff^[57] and Las Vegas tying its record high at 117 degrees Fahrenheit.^[58]
• In June 2017, the 2017 United Kingdom heat wave led to 5 days where the temperature exceeded 30°C, reaching 34.5°C (94.1°F) on the 21st of June. This came close to the all-time June high of 35.6°C (96.1°F), recorded in Southampton on 28 June 1976.
• In June 2017 again, heatwave in Iran breaking record high temperature. On 28 June 2017 city of Jask suffocated dew point of 33 °C (91.4 °F) degrees and this kind of dew point is rare. If it were 5 °C (9 °F) degrees higher human breathe will condense the humidity in the air. But the highest temperature was in Ahvaz soared to 54 °C (129.2 °F) degrees and humidity makes it hotter at a heat index of 61 °C (142 °F). ^[59]

References