Interactive map reveals how a spate of summer heatwaves have hiked temperatures across the globe

A stunning interactive map reveals how record temperatures are being recorded across the globe.

It pulls together data crunched by some of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, including the Global Forecast System (GFS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to generate a world map that showcases the most recent weather readings from across the planet.

Users can toggle settings to show wind speeds, relative humidity, and surface temperature.

The interactive map, which updates with the latest temperature readings every three hours, reveals the full extent of the warm spell that has triggered weather warnings across the globe.

England has recorded highs of 33°C (91.94°F) this week, Sweden is basking in the hottest summer in over a century, while the mercury topped-out at an unseasonably warm 38°C (100°F) in parts of Southern California, and heat levels have soared to more than 46°C (115°F) in Saudi Arabia.

In Japan, at least 65 people have died and a further 22,000 have been hospitalised with heat stroke as a result of sky-rocketing temperatures, which have reached record highs of 41.1°C (105°F) in the capital of Tokyo.

The heatwave, which started to set record temperatures across the world late last month and is predicted to continue until the end of August, is caused by persistent high pressures, experts have stated.

Stationary regions of high pressure across the globe have halted weather patterns from moving eastwards.

This immobilisation of weather fronts was triggered by an unusually weak jet stream, high Atlantic ocean temperatures and the continually rising temperatures caused by warming. 

This potent combination has doomed the northern hemisphere to weeks of oppressive heat, say scientists.

Check the latest heatwave from around the world using the interactive map below

A stunning interactive map reveals how recent summer heatwaves have sent temperatures rocketing across the globe, as experts warn the unprecedented scorching weather will continue this week

Professor Len Shaffrey, Professor of Climate Science at the University of Reading, told MailOnline: ‘The high pressure means that the storms we occasionally get at this time of year are being steered much further northwards towards Iceland.

‘The high pressure system is unusually persistent and has been building up over Europe throughout spring and early summer.’

Key to the recent heat, which began in late June and will continue through the second half of July and August according to computer models, is the combination of several weather phenomena coming together at once.

Periods of high air pressure cycle periodically over Earth, causing temperatures to rise well above average, but this pressure is rarely sustained for such a long period, and across such a large stretch of the planet.

Part of the reason for the recent sustained pressure is due to a weak jet stream – the column of strong winds around five to seven miles (8-11km) above the surface of the Earth that drives weather patterns around the planet.

The stream forms over long periods due to temperature differences between the northern and southern hemispheres, and at its weakest brings settled weather patterns that leave temperatures unchanged for days, or even weeks at a time.

The jet stream we are currently experiencing is extremely weak, meaning areas of high-pressure that have formed over parts of the northern hemisphere are taking a long time to move on, experts said.

Jet streams are the result of a complex mix of phenomena, and become especially weak during the summer months when there is only a small temperature difference between northern and southern regions either side of the stream.

The recent heatwave is not only the result of a weakened jet stream, with huge changes to sea surface temperatures in the Northern Atlantic also contributing, scientists said.

‘These are part of a phenomenon known as the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation,’ said Professor Adam Scaife, of the Met Office.

The animation pulls together data crunched by some of the world’s most powerful supercomputers to build a global map that showcases the most recent readings of Earth’s weather patterns. This image shows recent temperature readings across the Americas as seen through the animation

WHAT IS CAUSING THE SUMMER 2018 GLOBAL HEATWAVE?

There are several leading theories as to what may be causing the recent global heatwave, according to University of Reading climate scientist Professor Len Shaffrey.

1. Climate Change: Temperatures are increasing globally due to the burning of fossil fuels increasing concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The global rise in temperatures means that heatwaves are becoming more extreme. The past few years have seen some record-breaking temperatures in Europe, for example the 2015 heatwave and the 2017 ‘Lucifer’ heatwave in Central Europe. Unusually warm summer temperatures have been recorded elsewhere, for example in Canada and Japan, and climate change is very likely to have played a role here as well.

2. North Atlantic Ocean Temperatures: Temperatures over the North Atlantic Ocean can play a role in setting the position of the jet stream, which in turn has a profound impact on the weather we experience in the UK and Ireland. This summer has seen relatively warm North Atlantic Ocean temperatures in the subtropics and cold ocean temperatures to the south of Greenland. These are thought to be influencing the high pressure over Europe and pushing the jet stream further northwards.

3. La Nina: Every few years, ocean temperatures in the Tropical Pacific swing between being relatively warm (known as El Nino) and cool (La Nina). Since October last year the Tropical Pacific has been in a La Nina phase. La Nina is sometimes associated with cold winters in North Western Europe (for example the winter of 2010/11 and the recent cold spell in March 2018). However, this year’s La Nina had started to weaken around April and had almost gone by June when the current dry spell in the UK began.

4. It’s the weather: The above factors influence type of the weather get in the UK and Ireland but good or bad luck also plays a role, especially for very unusual weather such as the current hot and dry spell. This summer is no different and the hot and dry weather is partly due a combination of North Atlantic Ocean temperatures, climate change and the weather. Should weather patterns continue as they are then we might expect this summer will turn out to be as hot and dry as the extreme summer of 1976. 

‘In fact, the situation is very like the one we had in 1976, when we had similar ocean temperatures in the Atlantic and an unchanging jet stream that left great areas of high pressure over many areas for long periods.’

That year saw one of the warmest and driest summers of the 20th century, he added. 

An interactive map shows how recent temperature spikes have hit the northern hemisphere.

The animation, known as earth.nullschool.net, was created by Tokyo-based software engineer Cameron Beccario in an effort to test his coding skills.

Users can toggle the map's settings to show wind speeds, relative humidity and surface temperature - with today's data revealing that London hit highs of 25°C (77°F) at 10:00am BST (05:00am ET) this morning. This image shows recent temperature readings across Europe as seen through the animation

Users can toggle the map’s settings to show wind speeds, relative humidity and surface temperature – with today’s data revealing that London hit highs of 25°C (77°F) at 10:00am BST (05:00am ET) this morning. This image shows recent temperature readings across Europe as seen through the animation

WHAT IS A JET STREAM?

Jet streams are found in the atmosphere’s upper levels and are narrow bands of wind that blow west to east.

But sometimes the flow changes direction and goes north and south.

Jet streams are strongest – in both the southern and northern hemispheres – during winters.

This is because boundaries between cold and hot air are the most pronounced during the winter, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The direction the air travels is linked to its momentum as it pushes away from the earth’s equator.

‘The reason has to do with momentum and how fast a location on or above the earth moves relative to earth’s axis,’ NWS explains.

The complex interactions of many factors, including low and high pressure systems, seasonal changes and cold and warm air – affect jet streams.

It is a visualisation of global weather and wind conditions that have been forecast by supercomputers.

The latest weather conditions are updated every three hours, while ocean surface currents are updated every five days.

It uses data from the Global Forecast System (GFS), National Centres for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

When set to temperature mode, the red patches on the map indicate the hottest regions on Earth, while green and blue show areas where temperatures are lower.

The heatwave, which started to set record temperatures across the world late last month and is predicted to continue until the end of August, is caused by persistent high pressures, experts have stated. Katarzyna Palik, 27, soaks up the sunshine as the sizzling weather reached highs of 86F on Bournemouth beach last week

The heatwave, which started to set record temperatures across the world late last month and is predicted to continue until the end of August, is caused by persistent high pressures, experts have stated. Katarzyna Palik, 27, soaks up the sunshine as the sizzling weather reached highs of 86F on Bournemouth beach last week

In the United States, parts of Southern California reached temperatures upwards of 38°C (100°F), while heat levels soared to more than 46°C (115°F) in Saudi Arabia. This image shows temperatures across Australia and the Pacific Islands

In the United States, parts of Southern California reached temperatures upwards of 38°C (100°F), while heat levels soared to more than 46°C (115°F) in Saudi Arabia. This image shows temperatures across Australia and the Pacific Islands

Map users can click on a specific region of the map to get the most recent temperature and wind speed readings for those coordinates.

The animation reveals that temperatures in the southeast of England reached almost 25°C (77°F) this morning, around 3°C (5.4°F) higher than the July average.

In New York, temperatures were around the same, despite readings being taken at 5:00am local time.

Much of northern Africa and the Middle East are also experiencing higher-than-average temperatures on Tuesday, with many regions rocketing above 40°C (104°F).

Japan this week recorded its highest temperature since records began, with the mercury hitting 41.1°C (106°F). In this image children cool off during the recent heatwave in Tokyo, Japan

Japan this week recorded its highest temperature since records began, with the mercury hitting 41.1°C (106°F). In this image children cool off during the recent heatwave in Tokyo, Japan

More heat waves are due this week according to researchers, with a blast of hot air dubbed the 'Mediterranean melt' expected to force temperatures across Europe above the 30°C (86°F) mark all the way up until Friday

More heat waves are due this week according to researchers, with a blast of hot air dubbed the ‘Mediterranean melt’ expected to force temperatures across Europe above the 30°C (86°F) mark all the way up until Friday

Experts warned on Sunday that Britain will bask in yet another spell of scorching weather this week, with bookies slashing the odds of the UK enjoying its hottest day since records began.

A blast of hot air from Spain, nicknamed the ‘Mediterranean Melt’, will force temperatures above the 30°C (86°F) until Friday, with readings set to peak on Thursday – making the UK hotter than Jamaica.

Met Office forecasters are confident Britain will be treated to 35°C (95°F) heat, with bookmakers cutting the odds to 2/1 that the country will experience its hottest day ever, beating the 38.5°C (101°F) record set in 2003.

Stationary regions of high pressure across the globe have halted weather patterns from moving eastwards. Monika Wojtanowska, aged 29, (left) and Aneta, 26, cool off in the sea at Bournemouth beach last week

Stationary regions of high pressure across the globe have halted weather patterns from moving eastwards. Monika Wojtanowska, aged 29, (left) and Aneta, 26, cool off in the sea at Bournemouth beach last week

Much of northern Africa and the Middle East experienced higher-than-average temperatures Tuesday, with many regions rocketing above 40°C (104°F)

Much of northern Africa and the Middle East experienced higher-than-average temperatures Tuesday, with many regions rocketing above 40°C (104°F)

Beach-goers were warned to wear wetsuits when taking a dip to avoid being stung by swarms of giant jellyfish that have been spotted off the coast of Folkestone, in Kent.

Chris Lightwing, the logistics manager at Folkestone Rescue, a charity which helps to keep beaches safe, said that the jellyfish, which have a 1ft diameter and 24 tentacles and can weight up to 2.5kg, could ‘give a nasty sting’ to people enjoying the unprecedented heatwave.

Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: ‘It’s getting warmer and we could see 35C by Thursday.

‘After 30C on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday look like 32C, with 34C possible on Wednesday and a good chance of over 34.5C by Thursday, and Friday similar. Heat will arrive from the south, passing over the continent.

‘It will be hottest in the South and East.’

This immobilisation of weather fronts was triggered by an unusually weak jet stream, high Atlantic ocean temperatures and the continually rising temperatures caused by warming. Pictured are beach-goers in New York last week

This immobilisation of weather fronts was triggered by an unusually weak jet stream, high Atlantic ocean temperatures and the continually rising temperatures caused by warming. Pictured are beach-goers in New York last week

The animation shows that temperatures in the southeast of England reached almost 25°C (77°F) this morning, around 3°C (5.4°F) higher than the July average

The animation shows that temperatures in the southeast of England reached almost 25°C (77°F) this morning, around 3°C (5.4°F) higher than the July average

In California, power grid operators issued a warning on Tuesday morning, cautioning people to conserve energy as the state prepares for this week’s blistering heatwave.

Temperatures are expected to hit 36°C (97°F) on Wednesday – rocketing well above the average high for this time of year, which is around 29°C (84°F).

Woodland Hills, a neighborhood bordering the Santa Monica Mountains, will be even hotter, reaching 42°C (107°F).

The California Independent System Operator (ISO), the grid operator, has now issued a ‘Flex Alert’ which warns that the heatwave could put pressure on the grid as everyone cranks up their AC.

HOW HIGH DID GLOBAL TEMPERATURES REACH DURING THE HEATWAVE OF JULY 2018?

Temperature records worldwide were shattered by an unusual global heatwave in late June and early July 2018.

Stifling heat cracked roads and buckled roofs across Britain, as Motherwell hit the highest temperature ever recorded in Scotland at 91.8°F (33.2°C). The previous record was 91.2°F (32.9°C) set in August 2003 at Greycrook.

Glasgow had its hottest day on record, hitting 89.4°F (31.9°C).

In Ireland, on June 28 Belfast also reached a record high, as it hit 85.1°F (29.5°C). Shannon also hit its own record at 89.6°F (32°C). In Northern Ireland, Castlederg hit 86.2°F (30.1°C) on June 29, its record highest.

In Canada, Montreal smashed its previous record for the hottest temperature, as readings showed 97.9 °F (36.6°C)

Ottawa posted its most extreme combination of heat and humidity on July 1.

Meanwhile in the US, Denver, the Colorado state capital, tied its all-time high-temperature record of 105°F (40°C) on June 28

Burlington, in Vermont, set its all-time warmest low temperature ever, recording a low of 80°F (27°C) within the 24 hour period on July 2

Whilst the islands in Western Europe smouldered in its own heatwave, Eurasia was baking as well.

Yerevan, in the previously Soviet state of Armenia, saw temperatures soar to 107.6°F (42°C).

Russia, the host country of the World Cup this year, is also in the midst of a heatwave and several spots across the south of the world’s largest country either matched or exceeded their warmest June temperatures.

In the Middle-Eastern nation of Oman, the lowest temperature for 24 hours on June 28 was 108.7°F (42.6°C) in the coastal city of Quriyat’s.

These fantastical numbers come just months after Pakistan posted the hottest temperature ever seen on Earth.

The latest spate of temperature warnings come after heatwaves baked the northern hemisphere last week, as part of a global temperature spike that has persisted since late June.

Record temperatures have been recorded across northern Europe, with Sweden in the midst of its hottest summer for a century, and Finland, which usually has highs of 18°C (64°F), recording 30°C (86°F) temperatures.

The highest reliable temperature ever recorded has been tracked at a weather station near Ouargla, Algeria, in the Sahara desert, recording a temperature of 51.3°C (124°F).

Japan this week recorded its highest temperature since records began, with the mercury hitting 41.1°C (106°F) in a deadly heatwave that has so far claimed more than 40 lives.

The highest night-time temperature ever recorded on Earth was also set this summer. 

Temperatures reached a staggering 42.6°C (108.68°F) during the night of June 27 in Quriyat, Oman.



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