Heatwave history: European scientists declare 2023 hottest year in 125,000 years

European scientists confirmed that this year is the hottest in 125,000 years. This follows data released last month indicating that global temperatures have reached record-breaking highs.

The European Union’s climate change watchdog, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), revealed that the temperature in October surpassed the previous record set in 2019 by 0.4 degrees Celsius. The weather anomalies observed in October were regarded as extremely severe.

The C3S also indicated that the record-breaking temperature in October further confirms that it is certain that this year will set a new record as the hottest year. The previous record was in 2016, which was also an El Nino year.

The rise in global temperatures is due to the continuous emission of greenhouse gases from human activities, compounded by the El Nino phenomenon this year. This has pushed the average global temperature in October to be about 1.7 degrees Celsius above the normal October level, reported Sanook.

The abnormal climate change has fuelled natural disasters caused by severe weather anomalies. This year, there have been floods that have killed thousands in Libya, multiple heatwaves in South Africa, and devastating wildfire seasons in Canada.

In related news, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned that summer storms would occur across Thailand, characterised by thunderstorms, strong winds, and occasional hail. The TMD advised people to avoid being in open spaces, standing under large trees, near weak structures or billboards, wearing metal objects, and using mobile phones during thunderstorms. Read more about this story HERE.

Pattaya and Thailand’s eastern region were expected to experience hot weather with haze and occasional thundershowers.

In various areas, very hot conditions were predicted, with thundershowers likely to occur in Prachinburi, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, and Trat. Residents in those areas experienced minimum temperatures of 26 to 30 degrees Celsius and maximum temperatures of 35 to 40°C. Read more about this story HERE.