Pakistan Faces Record-Breaking Heat: Temperatures Could Soar to 120 Degrees

Pakistan is poised to see temperatures soar to 120 degrees this week, potentially breaking global records. A high-pressure system over South Asia is trapping heat and causing extreme weather across the region. Countries like Iraq and the UAE are also facing record highs, with about 63 percent of the globe experiencing above-average temperatures in April 2024, highlighting alarming climate trends.

Pakistan is bracing for a scorcher this week, with temperatures potentially reaching a staggering 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If realized, this could challenge global temperature records. According to weather historian Maximiliano Herrera, Nawabshah’s previous 2018 April temperature remains the Asian benchmark, while a disputed 124-degree reading in Mexico from 2001 lingers in the background. The core reason behind the excessive heat? A significant dome of high pressure looms over the region, akin to a cap trapping heat inside a pot, which stretches from the Middle East all the way to South Asia.

This part of the world has been experiencing remarkably high temperatures every April, leading many to consider that these extremes may become more regular in a warming climate. The heat wave is set to intensify this week, with forecasts indicating Wednesday and Thursday are likely to be the hottest days specifically for Pakistan. Utilising the ECMWF, a reputable global weather forecasting model, experts anticipate central Pakistan could reach maximum temperatures of around 120 degrees.

It is important to note, however, that the model slightly misjudged high temperatures last weekend by 2 to 3 degrees. Taking that into account, temperatures in Pakistan could still flirt with the low 120s. Notably, an astonishing number of 21 countries are expected to see temperatures exceeding 110 degrees this week. Some of these nations include Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and even parts of Africa.

Towards the end of the week, this extreme heat is predicted to drift eastwards toward China, where another surge of heat will raise temperatures past 100 degrees in key areas like Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This unfolding situation raises serious concerns, as temperatures have consistently hovered more than 4 degrees above average in Pakistan this April alone.

Other affected regions include Iraq, which recorded its highest April temperature ever at 115 degrees, along with similar records witnessed in the United Arab Emirates and Turkmenistan, the latter seeing an alarming increase of more than 7 degrees above its average. Notably, Niger also reported a record high of 113 degrees.

On a global scale, about 63 percent of the Earth has registered above-average temperatures this April. Conversely, only 37 percent has seen cooler weather. A total of 116 countries have been affected by warmer-than-usual conditions, demonstrating a clear trend toward escalating heat. The recent La Niña event did little to mitigate these temperatures, especially following a record-setting warm year for the globe in 2024. The January to March period just passed was marked as the second warmest on record, a concerning statistic that indicates an unsettling trend as we inch closer to summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

Pakistan’s upcoming heat wave illustrates a growing pattern in global temperatures that continuously challenges records. With multiple countries experiencing above-average temperatures, this week could mark another significant moment in a global trend, underscored by an unwavering high-pressure system. As warmer conditions become commonplace and extreme heat waves develop, it highlights the urgency of understanding climate patterns and their broader implications for the world. A systemic increase in temperature, seen across many nations, signifies a need for serious consideration and action in the face of climate change.

Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com