Environmental Studies and Forestry

The most at-risk regions in the world for high-impact heatwaves

V. Thompson, D. Mitchell, et al.

Discover how climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and intense, leading to alarming mortality rates. This research by Vikki Thompson, Dann Mitchell, Gabriele C. Hegerl, Matthew Collins, Nicholas J. Leach, and Julia M. Slingo identifies regions vulnerable to extreme temperatures, urging policymakers to act on heat action plans.

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Playback language: English

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Abstract

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, leading to increased mortality. This study uses extreme value statistics to identify regions globally where regional temperature records are statistically likely to be exceeded, highlighting areas at increased risk. The analysis reveals that in 31% of regions, observed daily maximum temperature records are exceptionally high. Climate models suggest similar behavior could occur in any region, with particular concern for regions like Afghanistan and parts of Central America due to potential for extreme heat, growing populations, and limited resources. The authors urge policymakers in vulnerable regions to evaluate the adequacy of current heat action plans.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Apr 25, 2023

Authors

Vikki Thompson, Dann Mitchell, Gabriele C. Hegerl, Matthew Collins, Nicholas J. Leach, Julia M. Slingo

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