Forest Fires, Droughts and Storms Ravage Europe
A heat wave that hit Western Europe at the beginning of last week has been less intense than the previous one, which occurred at the end of June. However, the successive heat waves in this first month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, which many scientists attribute to climate change, have raised temperatures to unprecedented levels in large areas of the continent, causing water shortages, damage to crops, forest fires, and thousands of more deaths than usual.
What Happened
Although storms are typical during and after a period of extreme heat, the storms in countries such as France, Germany, and Poland were particularly severe, bringing floods, strong winds, and intense rains with large hailstones. In southeastern France, people reported on social media seeing hailstones with diameters between 5 cm and 7 cm, and the streets were covered with a visible layer of them. The hail damaged vehicle windshields and several buildings, in addition to vineyards.
Why It Matters
In addition, torrential rains and strong winds caused localized flooding in France – where two people died as a result of the storms – and in Poland. In the city of Wrocław, in southwestern Poland, roads and tram tracks were closed due to the floods, and the winds knocked down trees over the tram cables. Residents were advised to stay at home and prepare for possible power outages.
The Mechanism Behind the Fires and Storms
Meanwhile, Spain and the UK are ablaze. A forest fire in Cinco Villas, in Zaragoza, northeastern Spain, has already consumed 12,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of six villages. Guadalajara and Madrid are fighting two other forest fires, and more than 2,000 people have received orders to stay in their homes. The fire is advancing in Spanish territory amidst extreme heat, strong winds, and low humidity.
Bigger Picture
Some areas of the UK are also suffering from drought. In central England, no measurable precipitation was recorded for 15 days – the longest period of drought since June 1996. This is where Manchester is located, where firefighters and volunteers were trying to put out a fire that had been burning for over a week. Helicopters were dropping water on the parched earth, and columns of smoke spread throughout the region.
What's Next
In Scotland, a forest fire in Cairngorms continued to burn on Friday (17/7), affecting an area of around 10 km² in the Scottish national park. The flames started in the middle of last week, and BBC images show its spread across the mountains. More than 50 firefighters and nine vehicles were mobilized to contain the flames and prevent their spread.
Consequences and Forecasts
Meanwhile, the death toll on the European continent continues to rise. At least 12,000 excess deaths were recorded in nine countries on the continent during the June heat wave, according to national statistics. A number that may increase as more data is released.
Fonte / Referência
Source: ClimaInfo