Heatwaves in US and EU ‘caused by global warming’

Temperature imbalances due to greenhouse gases affecting air systems

Scientists have stated that events such as the 2011 American drought and the 2003 European heatwave were the result of global warming.

The study found that air systems that bring warm air from the tropics and cold air from the Arctic at certain times are slowing down, meaning warm air is staying in areas for longer, causing extreme heatwaves.

Scenes like this are becoming normal during summertime in America because of the impact of global warming

(Image source - National Geographic)

‘During several recent extreme weather events these planetary waves almost freeze in their tracks for weeks’, said Vladimir Petoukhov, lead author of the study at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. ‘So instead of bringing in cool air after having brought warm air in before, the heat just stays’.

Global warming has been blamed for disrupting the air flow because the build-up of greenhouse gases is warming the Arctic at a faster rate than other regions, causing the slow-down of air flow as the temperature difference between the Arctic and southern hemisphere areas is what regulates the air flow system.

Whilst this study only focused on the northern hemisphere in the summer time, the scientists believe that a similar study done during winter would find out that extreme cold weather events, such as the one that has affected the UK recently, were caused by the slowing down of air systems, this time trapping cold air over areas instead of warm air.