What happened in the 2003 heatwave?
The 2003 European heat wave led to the hottest summer on record in Europe since at least 1540. France was hit especially hard. The heat wave led to health crises in several countries and combined with drought to create a crop shortfall in parts of Southern Europe.
Why did the 2003 heat wave happen?
In the summer of 2003 an anticyclone stationed above western Europe prevented precipitation and led to record high temperatures over sustained periods. Forest fires raged across western Europe as weakened trees and dry underbrush fed the flames.
How hot was the summer of 2003?
The summer of 2003 was among the warmest in the last three centuries, and the maximum temperatures of July and August remained above 30 °C (86 °F).
What countries were affected by the 2003 European heatwave?
Contents
- 1.1 France.
- 1.2 Portugal.
- 1.3 Luxembourg.
- 1.4 Netherlands.
- 1.5 Spain.
- 1.6 Italy.
- 1.7 Germany.
- 1.8 Switzerland.
What was the hottest temperature in Europe in 2003?
Record temperatures were felt in: Sevilla, 45.2 °C (113.4 °F) (the 1995 record was 46.6 °C (115.9 °F)) 546 deaths. The summer of 2003 was among the warmest in the last three centuries, and the maximum temperatures of July and August remained above 30 °C (86 °F).
How many people died during the heat wave in France?
In France, 14,802 heat-related deaths (mostly among the elderly) occurred during the heat wave, according to the French National Institute of Health. France does not commonly have very hot summers, particularly in the northern areas, but eight consecutive days with temperatures of more than 40 °C (104 °F) were recorded in Auxerre,…
What was the weather like in Ireland in 2003?
The summer of 2003 was warmer than average in Ireland, but the heat was far less pronounced there than in the rest of Europe. August was by far the warmest, sunniest, and driest month, with temperatures roughly 2 °C above average.