Weather Extremes

Heat Wave Strikes Europe

Posted by: Christopher C. Burt, 10:00 PM GMT en Agosto 24, 2011

Heat Wave Strikes Europe

While the heat wave in the south central portion of the U.S.A. continues, one of the worst heat waves to strike central and southern Europe since 2003 has affected portions of Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland this past week. The temperature soared to 107.8°F (42.1°C) in Florence, Italy on August 22, the hottest reading on record for the city. The following is a short blog highlighting some of the temperatures recorded in Europe since the heat wave began August 19th.

The heat wave began on August 19th centered over Spain and then spread north and east into France on August 20th and then into southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy on August 22-24. The core of the heat wave has now settled further south over Italy and the Balkans (where temperatures of 104° have been reported in Serbia the past two days).

Below is a summary of temperatures so far attained and comparisons to the all-time record maximums for the respective sites. I have also made a note of what the national maximum temperature records are for each country. The vast majority of the all-time record maximums occurred during the great heat wave of August 2003 that resulted in the deaths of some 35,000 people in Western Europe.

Italy

Florence, as mentioned, above, broke its all-time heat record last Monday and was the hottest reading so far measured in the country with its 107.8° reading on August 22nd. Other maximum temperatures in Italy include the following (for the all-time maximums I only have a date for Rome):

The national record for Italy (and the hottest reliably measured temperature ever reported from Europe is 119.3° at Catenanuova, Sicily on August 10, 1999.

Switzerland

The hottest temperature so far measured in Switzerland during the current event is 98.2° at Sion on August 22. The official national maximum temperature for Switzerland is 102.7° at Roveredo on August 11, 2003. A reading of 106.7° from Grono on the same day has been dismissed by Swiss meteorological authorities as resulting from a non-standard exposure of the thermometer there.

Germany

The reading from Stuttgart is the warmest so far measured in Germany during this event. The hottest temperature recorded in Germany is 104.5° at Perl-Nennig on August 8, 2003.

France

The heat remained south of Paris which recorded a maximum of only 90°. The hottest temperature so far recorded in France during the current heat episode is 104.7° at Montauban on August 20th. The national maximum is 111.4° at Conqueryrac and Saint-Christol-les-Ales on August 12, 2003.

Spain

The hottest temperature reported from Spain so far is 108.5° at Moron De La Frontera on August 19th. The most reliable maximum temperature ever recorded in Spain is 117.0° at Murcia on July 4, 1994. A reading of 121.6° at Seville on July 11, 1873 is not considered reliable due to exposure issues.

Austria

The Vienna temperature above is the warmest so far measured in Austria during this event. Austria’s national maximum temperature is 103.5° at Dellach im Drautal on July 27, 1983.

KUDOS: Thanks to Maximilliano Herrera for city all-time heat records.

Categories: Heat

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1. Cotillion 11:35 AM GMT en Agosto 25, 2011
Thanks for this, an interesting read. 2003 was so bad not because of its maximum temperatures per se, but just because it lasted for so long. A short heatwave in August isn't uncommon, though this one does looks a fairly potent one and may hang around for a bit longer for the Balkans. Member Since: Agosto 23, 2008 Posts: 7 Comments: 5300

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About weatherhistorian

Christopher C. Burt is the author of 'Extreme Weather; A Guide and Record Book'. He studied meteorology at the Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison.

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