The Independent
What is the ‘African plume’ that could bring 35C heatwave conditions to UK?
Story by Stuti Mishra • 4:36 pm - 22-5-2023
Is it connected to the climate crisis?
While weather patterns can be influenced by various factors, the increased occurrence of African plumes aligns with our warming climate, experts said.
According to Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick, there is “a greater than normal chance” of heatwaves in the UK this summer, which is “consistent with our warming climate”.
However, she said that, “as always with a longer-range forecast, there is always some uncertainty”.
While one weather phenomenon alone does not guarantee a heatwave, with a warmed up world of 1.2C, such occurrences have become more frequent in recent years.
This year is particularly worrying, as the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said the El Niño weather phenomenon, associated with the warming of the oceans, is set to take over later this year.
“The development of an El Niño will most likely lead to a new spike in global heating and increase the chance of breaking temperature records,” WMO Secretary-General Petri Taalas said at the time of the warning.
The world is also expected to breach the 1.5C warming threshold, the agreed limit of the Paris Agreement, as early as within the next five years, warned the WMO.
The heatwaves experienced in 2022 already signalled the impact of the climate crisis, with England recording its joint-hottest summer on record.
The Met Office's chief scientist, Professor Stephen Belcher, described the 40C temperatures experienced last year as “virtually impossible without climate change”.
From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here.
What is the ‘African plume’ that could bring 35C heatwave conditions to UK?
Story by Stuti Mishra • 4:36 pm - 22-5-2023
Is it connected to the climate crisis?
While weather patterns can be influenced by various factors, the increased occurrence of African plumes aligns with our warming climate, experts said.
According to Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick, there is “a greater than normal chance” of heatwaves in the UK this summer, which is “consistent with our warming climate”.
However, she said that, “as always with a longer-range forecast, there is always some uncertainty”.
While one weather phenomenon alone does not guarantee a heatwave, with a warmed up world of 1.2C, such occurrences have become more frequent in recent years.
This year is particularly worrying, as the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said the El Niño weather phenomenon, associated with the warming of the oceans, is set to take over later this year.
“The development of an El Niño will most likely lead to a new spike in global heating and increase the chance of breaking temperature records,” WMO Secretary-General Petri Taalas said at the time of the warning.
The world is also expected to breach the 1.5C warming threshold, the agreed limit of the Paris Agreement, as early as within the next five years, warned the WMO.
The heatwaves experienced in 2022 already signalled the impact of the climate crisis, with England recording its joint-hottest summer on record.
The Met Office's chief scientist, Professor Stephen Belcher, described the 40C temperatures experienced last year as “virtually impossible without climate change”.
From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here.
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