Heat storms: Massive extreme heat events surge in frequency

heat storms climate change extreme heatwaves global warming Reuters investigation

A Reuters investigation has identified a new phenomenon termed ‘heat storms’ to describe exceptionally large and prolonged heatwaves. Unlike traditional heatwaves, these events can cover at least 1 per cent of the Earth’s surface at their peak and persist for months or even years.

Data analysis of global temperatures since 1960 reveals a dramatic increase in these events. In the 1960s, the world averaged approximately five heat storms per year; in the current decade, that number has risen to roughly 102 annually. The largest recorded heat storm, named Vera, lasted 367 days during 2023 and 2024, affecting nearly 85 per cent of the planet at various points.

The consequences of these storms are severe, impacting human health, agriculture, and ecosystems. For example, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, temperatures at Mecca’s Grand Mosque reached 51.8 degrees Celsius, contributing to over 1,300 deaths. In Europe, extreme heat has caused record temperatures in cities like Bordeaux and Budapest, leading to an estimated 10,000 more deaths than expected in a single week.

Entities

Anthony Leiserowitz · Mecca · Reuters · Vera · Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The Vera heat storm affected nearly 85 per cent of the planet. www.bl-portal.com · www.news9live.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The largest heat storm on record, named Vera, lasted 367 days during 2023 and 2024. www.news9live.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Temperatures at Mecca’s Grand Mosque reached 51.8 degrees Celsius during the Hajj pilgrimage. www.news9live.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The term ‘heat storm’ describes heatwaves that cover at least 1 per cent of the Earth’s surface at their peak. www.bl-portal.com · dailymeezan.com · www.news9live.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The average number of heat storms per year rose from five in the 1960s to 102 in the current decade. www.bl-portal.com · www.news9live.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] European governments estimated over 10,000 excess deaths in a single week due to extreme heat. www.bl-portal.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Extreme heat in Europe reached 42.7 degrees Celsius in Bordeaux, Budapest, and Bilbao. www.bl-portal.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] More than 1,300 pilgrims died during the Hajj pilgrimage due to extreme heat. www.news9live.com