What caused the 2003 heatwave in Europe?
In the summer of 2003 an anticyclone stationed above western Europe prevented precipitation and led to record high temperatures over sustained periods. Forest fires raged across western Europe as weakened trees and dry underbrush fed the flames.
What countries were affected by the 2003 heatwave?
About 15,000 people died due to the heat in France, which led to a shortage of space to store dead bodies in mortuaries. Temporary mortuaries were set up in refrigeration lorries. There were also heat-related deaths in the UK (2,000), Portugal (2,100), Italy (3,100), Holland (1,500) and Germany (300).
What were the impacts of the 2003 European heatwave?
adverse social, economic and environmental effects, such as the death of thousands of vulnerable elderly people, the destruction of large areas of forests by fire, and effects on water ecosystems and glaciers. It caused power cuts and transport restrictions and a decreased agricultural production.
What were the main causes of death during the 2003 heatwave?
Cause of death was reported for 254 (81%) of the 315 cases and most often involved either a cardiovascular cause (37%) or the heat (35%). Other causes included cancer (7.5%), respiratory (6.3%), and neurological (4.3%) diseases.
How many died in Paris due to the heatwave in the summer of 2003?
15,000 deaths
When the heat wave that hit France in 2003 led to more than 15,000 deaths due to the record temperature of 111.4 degrees Fahrenheit, authorities knew they needed to be prepared should extreme weather happen again. This past summer, it did: Temperatures reached a national record of 114.8 F.
How many people in the UK died in the 2003 heatwave?
35,000 people
At least 35,000 people died as a result of the record heatwave that scorched Europe in August 2003, says an environmental think tank.
How hot did it get in India in 2003?
A wide area of the southern part of the country experienced weeks of temperatures climbing to a scorching 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit). The map above shows average land surface temperatures measured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua satellite between May 1- 24, 2003.
How hot does it get in France in the summer?
Summer in France With the exception of the western coastal areas—which tend to be more temperate—summer conditions in France are typically warm or hot. Average temperatures range from about 60 to 80 F in Paris, while in Nice and on the south coast they range from around 80 to 90 F.
How long has global temperature been recorded?
The global temperature record shows the fluctuations of the temperature of the atmosphere and the oceans through various spans of time. The most detailed information exists since 1850, when methodical thermometer-based records began.
Where is the best climate in France?
The warmest place in France is the French Riviera coast in Southern France. With average summer temperatures well above 30oC (80oF) and long dry summers and warm springs and autumns and mild winters, the South of France is the place to experience the best climate in France throughout the year.