Record-Breaking Heat Events: A Century of Climate Extremes

A recent study examining ten extreme heat events from the past century highlights how such temperatures affect everything from weather to public health. It kicks off with Death Valley’s scorching 134°F in 1913, still recognized by the World Meteorological Organization as the highest verified temperature. Also on the list is Libya’s 1922 record, which was retracted in 2012 due to measurement inaccuracies. The 2003 European heat wave caused around 70,000 deaths, prompting France to create the Plan Canicule warning system. Similarly, Russia's 2010 heat led to 55,000 fatalities and a grain export ban that pushed wheat prices up. The 2021 heat dome in Lytton, BC, hit 49.6°C, made significantly more likely by climate change. In 2022, the U.K. recorded its first 40°C day, which damaged railways and led to a construction standards review. In 2023, a buoy in the Florida Keys noted a sea surface temperature of 101.1°F, resulting in coral bleaching. Finally, 2024 marked the first year exceeding the 1.5°C warming limit, with average temperatures 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels. These events reflect the growing intensity of extreme heat and its impact on infrastructure and health, highlighting the urgent need for adaptation.