May 30, 2016

Half of Thailand's Weather Sites Break All-time Heat Records in 42 Days

Thailand
by
Christopher C. Burt
,
Weather Underground
A map illustrating the dates of the normal onset of the monsoon in India (red-dashed lines) and where the actual advance lines have been so far this season (green solid lines). Image: Indian Meteorological Department
A map illustrating the dates of the normal onset of the monsoon in India (red-dashed lines) and where the actual advance lines have been so far this season (green solid lines). Image: Indian Meteorological Department

The link between climate change and extreme heat is firmly established. Climate change has already increased the intensity, duration and frequency of extreme heat events and will continue to amplify these events in the future.[1] The level of humidity in the air has also increased, making it more difficult for the human body to cool down during heat events.[2] These impacts are being felt worldwide, with the area experiencing extreme summer temperatures growing well over ten times in the past 30 years.[3]

All-time national heat records have been set this past April and May in India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and the Republic of Maldives. The unprecedented heat has killed hundreds in India and dozens in Thailand so far. But nothing in the record books can compare to what has recently occurred in Thailand: a large country with over 120 meteorological sites that has seen half of its official weather stations break their all-time heat records