Iceland recorded its hottest Christmas Eve ever at 19.8°C due to warm tropical air and high pressure systems, highlighting the impacts of global warming, which has led to record heatwaves, melting glaciers, and the appearance of mosquitoes in the country.
A newly discovered single-celled amoeba, Incendiamoeba cascadensis, can survive and grow at temperatures up to 63°C, surpassing previous records for eukaryotic organisms, challenging assumptions about the thermal limits of complex life.
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to face the Eagles in a game that could set a new record for the hottest kickoff temperature at Arrowhead Stadium, with forecasted highs of 93°F, potentially making it the hottest game in Chiefs history and adding an extra challenge to their matchup.
Japan recorded its highest temperature ever at 41.2°C amid a record-hot June and the hottest year on record, highlighting extreme weather linked to climate change, with widespread heatstroke incidents and alerts across the country.
Japan experienced its highest temperature ever at 41.2°C in Tamba City, amid a prolonged heat wave that has increased health risks, strained power grids, and led to record temperatures this July, with authorities warning of further heat and issuing safety advisories.
Chicago experienced unseasonably warm weather in February, with temperatures reaching 70 degrees and causing ice rinks to melt. The city came close to breaking a 48-year-old high-temperature record, leading to a summer-like atmosphere with open apartment windows, outdoor dining, and bustling lakefront activities. Visitors and locals alike were surprised by the unexpected warmth, with some tourists having to adjust their indoor vacation plans to accommodate the unusual weather.
Detroit reached a record high temperature of 73 degrees in February, breaking the previous record set in 2017, but a drastic cold front is expected to bring temperatures back down with potential severe thunderstorms before mild temperatures return later in the week.
Continental Europe has set a new record temperature of 119.8°F in Sicily on August 11, 2021, surpassing the previous record of 118.4°F in Greece in 1977. The World Meteorological Organization verified the temperature, emphasizing the alarming trend of increasing high temperature records in specific regions. The findings were published in the International Journal of Climatology, naming Sicily as the location for the hottest temperature ever recorded in continental Europe. This comes as 2023 was declared the hottest year on record, with 2024 on track to be even hotter, reflecting the ongoing impact of climate change.
The UN's weather agency has confirmed a temperature reading of 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in Sicily in 2021 as the hottest ever recorded in Europe, renewing concerns about climate change. This figure surpassed the previous European record set in Greece in 1977. The confirmation followed a lengthy investigation and highlights the alarming trend of continuing high temperature records being set in specific regions of the world.
Washington experienced record-shattering warmth in January, with temperatures soaring to around 80 degrees, breaking records that had stood for decades. This surge of warmth, attributed to human-caused climate change, is highly unusual for the region in January. The high temperatures were accompanied by unusually high humidity levels, creating a stark contrast to the frigid conditions experienced just a week prior. While this early taste of late spring and early summer won't last long, the forecast for the next week to 10 days suggests that temperatures will generally remain somewhat above normal.
Satellite imagery from NASA shows the "Pineapple Express," an atmospheric river bringing warmer temperatures and heavy rain to the Pacific Northwest. The storm, originating in the Gulf of Alaska, is drawing subtropical moisture from Hawaii. Portland broke a temperature record with a high of 65 degrees, but cooler temperatures are expected as the storm moves east and brings in colder air from Alaska. Mount Hood ski slopes have been affected by rain, but falling temperatures may allow the ski park to open on December 8.
North Texas experienced triple-digit heat on Sunday, breaking a daily high temperature record that had stood since 1907. The temperature reached 101 degrees at the DFW International Airport, surpassing the previous record of 99 degrees. Despite being the first days of fall, the region saw a heat advisory with high temperatures between 98 and 103 degrees and heat indexes between 105 and 112 due to high humidity. The rest of the week is expected to be slightly cooler but still warm, with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. This September has already set a record for the most triple-digit days in the month.
Phoenix, Arizona has broken its previous record for the most consecutive days at or above 110F, reaching 54 days of extreme heat. An excessive heat warning has been issued for the region, with temperatures expected to range between 108F and 114F. The National Weather Service has warned of the high risk of heat stress or illnesses and urged residents to stay hydrated, avoid sun exposure, and use air conditioning if available. This summer's heatwave has led to millions of residents being placed under extreme heat advisories and has contributed to wildfires and a significant increase in heat-related deaths.
Milan, Italy, has experienced its hottest day in 260 years, with an average daily temperature of 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit recorded on Wednesday, according to the regional environmental protection agency. The previous record was set in 2003 during a deadly heat wave that claimed thousands of lives across Europe. The heat wave has also affected the Italian Alps, and experts attribute the intensifying and prolonged heat waves to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Spain and Greece are also grappling with extreme heat and wildfires, highlighting the impact of climate change on the region.
Milan, Italy, has experienced its hottest day in 260 years, with an average daily temperature of 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the regional environmental protection agency. The previous record was set in 2003. The heatwave has also affected the Italian Alps, but heavy thunderstorms are expected to break the heat in the coming days. The World Meteorological Organization warns that greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to increasingly intense and long-lasting heatwaves, making Europe the world's fastest warming continent. Heatwaves are a deadly natural hazard, causing preventable heat-related deaths each year.