List of heat waves facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A heat wave is a period of unusually hot weather that lasts for several days or even weeks. It can be very dangerous, especially for older people or those with health problems, as it can cause heatstroke and other serious illnesses. Heat waves happen when a system of high pressure stays in one place for a long time, trapping hot air near the ground. This list shares some of the most notable heat waves that have happened around the world.

Famous Heat Waves Through History
- Before the 1900s
- The 1900s: A Century of Heat
Heat Waves in the 21st Century
See also

Famous Heat Waves Through History

Before the 1900s

1540 European Drought: Europe faced an extreme drought and heat wave that lasted for 11 months.
July 1743 in China: Beijing had a super hot day on July 25, reaching 44.4°C (111.9°F). Sadly, many people became very sick.
July 1757 in Europe: This was one of Europe's hottest summers for a long time.
1896 Eastern North America Heat Wave: In August 1896, this heat wave caused many people to become ill.
1900 "Week of Fire" in Argentina: In February 1900, Buenos Aires and Rosario experienced temperatures up to 37°C (98.6°F), but it felt like 49°C (120.2°F) because of high humidity. This heat wave sadly affected many people's health.

The 1900s: A Century of Heat

1901 Eastern United States Heat Wave: This heat wave in the Eastern United States caused many illnesses.
1911 Heat Waves:
- Eastern North America: Between 380 and 2,000 people became sick during this heat wave.
- United Kingdom: This was one of the most severe hot periods for the UK, with temperatures around 36°C (96.8°F). It lasted from early July to mid-September.
- France: Many people became ill during a heat wave in France.
1913 Death Valley Record: In July, California had its hottest heat wave ever. Death Valley recorded an incredible 56.7°C (134°F) at Furnace Creek, which is still the highest air temperature ever recorded on Earth!
1923–1924 Marble Bar, Australia: This town in Western Australia had 160 days where temperatures reached 37.8°C (100°F) or higher!
1930s Dust Bowl Heat Waves: Almost every year from 1930 to 1938, North America experienced huge heat waves and droughts, especially during the Dust Bowl years.
- 1936 North American Heat Wave: This was part of the Dust Bowl era. Some places in the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley had their highest temperatures ever in July 1934. Yuma, Arizona, had 101 days in a row with temperatures of 37.8°C (100°F) or higher in 1937!
1950s Prolonged Heat and Drought: The central and southern United States had severe droughts and heat waves in the early 1950s. From 1952 to 1955, there were major heat waves every year. In 1954, East St. Louis, Illinois, reached 47.2°C (117°F), which is still the highest temperature for that state.
October 1952 Romania: Romania had very hot weather in October, which is unusual for that time of year. Bucharest reached 35.2°C (95.4°F).
1960 Oodnadatta, Australia: On January 2, Oodnadatta, South Australia, hit 50.7°C (123.3°F), the highest temperature ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere and Oceania!
1972 New York and Northeastern US: This heat wave lasted almost 16 days with very high humidity, causing many people to become sick.
1976 United Kingdom Heat Wave: This was one of the hottest heat waves in the UK, with temperatures over 32°C (89.6°F) for more than two weeks. It also brought one of the worst droughts in British history.
1980 United States Heat Wave: This heat wave and drought affected the central and eastern United States. Dallas/Fort Worth had 42 days in a row with temperatures above 37.8°C (100°F).
1983 United States Heat Wave: Temperatures over 37.8°C (100°F) were common across many states in the Midwest. This summer was one of the hottest ever recorded in those areas.
1987 Greece Heat Wave: A long heat wave in Greece from July 20 to 31 caused many people to become ill in Athens. Temperatures reached 43.6°C (110.5°F).
1988 United States Heat Wave: Intense heat combined with drought caused many illnesses across the United States.
1990 United Kingdom Heat Wave: Many cities in the UK broke their all-time temperature records. Temperatures peaked at 37.1°C (98.8°F).
1994 Poland Heat Wave: Between July and August, Poland had an intense heat wave with temperatures up to 39.5°C (103.1°F).
1995 Chicago Heat Wave: This heat wave brought very high temperatures and humidity to the Chicago area. Sadly, many people became ill, especially in lower-income neighborhoods.
1999 Eastern United States Heat Wave: This heat wave and drought caused severe water shortages in some states. Many people became sick across the country.

Heat Waves in the 21st Century

Early 2000s (2001–2009)

2001 Eastern North America: An intense heat wave hit the eastern United States and Canada. Newark, New Jersey, tied its all-time record of 41°C (105.8°F), feeling like over 50°C (122°F) with the humidity!
2003 European Heat Wave: This heat wave affected much of western Europe, breaking temperature records. In France, nearly 15,000 people became ill. Portugal reached 47°C (116.6°F).

Temperature difference in Europe from the average during the European heat wave of 2003

2006 European Heat Wave: This was another big heat wave in Europe. Paris reached 36.7°C (98.1°F), and some areas in Germany hit 38°C (100.4°F). July 2006 was the hottest month ever recorded in the UK.
2006 North American Heat Wave: This heat wave affected a large part of the United States and Canada. Over 220 people became sick. Los Angeles County recorded its highest temperature ever at 48.3°C (119°F).
2007 European Heat Wave: This heat wave mainly affected southeastern Europe. Bulgaria had its hottest year ever, with temperatures above 45°C (113°F).
2009 Southeastern Australia Heat Wave: Adelaide, South Australia, had six days in a row with temperatures over 40°C (104°F). Melbourne recorded its highest temperature ever at 46.4°C (115.5°F). This heat wave led to huge bushfires that sadly caused many illnesses and destroyed homes.

2010s: More Extreme Heat

2010 Northern Hemisphere Summer Heat Wave: This affected many areas, especially parts of China and Russia.
- Pakistan Record: In May, Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan, set a national record high of 53.5°C (128.3°F)!
- Eastern Europe: In June, Ruse, Bulgaria, hit 37.2°C (99°F), the highest temperature recorded in the country at that time.
- American East Coast: From July 4 to 9, a severe heat wave hit the East Coast. Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. all went over 37.8°C (100°F).
2011 North American Heat Wave: This brought record heat to the Midwest, Eastern Canada, and the Eastern Seaboard.
- Southwestern Asia: In late July and early August, Iraq had temperatures over 49°C (120°F), with Baghdad reaching 51.1°C (124°F).
2012 North American Heat Wave: In March, the Midwest had one of its biggest heat waves ever. In late June, heat spread across North America, causing violent storms that left many people without power.

Land surface temperatures of 8–15 March 2012. These are different from air temperatures.

2013 "Angry Summer" in Australia: The summer of 2012–2013 broke 123 weather records in 90 days! It was the hottest day ever for Australia as a whole, and the hottest January and summer on record. Temperatures reached 40°C to 45°C (104°F to 113°F) in many areas, leading to wildfires.
- Southwestern United States: In late June, an intense heat wave hit the Southwest. Death Valley, California, reached 54°C (129.2°F), the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth in June!
- China: From July to August, southern China had an unusually severe heat wave. Xinchang, Zhejiang, endured 44.1°C (111.4°F), and Hangzhou had 14 days in a row over 40°C (104°F). This heat seriously affected millions of lives.
- Argentina Heat Wave: From December 2013 to January 2014, Argentina had its longest heat wave since 1906. Temperatures reached 45.5°C (113.9°F) in Chamical and 39°C (102.2°F) in Buenos Aires. Sadly, this historic heat wave caused many illnesses.
2015 India and Pakistan Heat Waves:
- India: Between April and May, a heat wave in India caused many illnesses, with temperatures hovering between 45°C and 47°C (113°F and 116.6°F).
- Pakistan: Starting in June, a severe heat wave in Karachi, Pakistan, caused many illnesses.
- Europe: From late June to mid-September, unusual and long-lasting heat waves occurred across Europe, with temperatures above 40°C (104°F).

Maximum temperatures from 2–8 August 2015. Dark red shows temperatures between 35°C and 40°C (95°F and 104°F).

2016: Second Warmest Year on Record:
- Southwestern US: In June, record heat hit Arizona, Nevada, and California. Phoenix, Arizona, reached 47.8°C (118°F), and Death Valley reached 52.2°C (126°F).
- Kuwait and Iraq: In July, Mitribah, Kuwait, reached 54°C (129.2°F), and Basra, Iraq, reached 53.9°C (129°F). These are some of the highest temperatures ever recorded outside of Death Valley!
- India: The 2016 Indian heat wave in April and May set a national record of 51.0°C (123.8°F) in Phalodi, Rajasthan. This heat, combined with drought, caused water shortages and many illnesses.

Peak land surface temperatures from 7–14 February 2017, as mapped by satellite during the 2017 Australian heatwave.

2017 Heat Waves:
- Chile: In January, Chile had intense heat, with Quillón reaching 44.9°C (112.8°F), the highest temperature ever recorded there.
- Pakistan: In April, a severe heat wave affected Pakistan, peaking at 51.0°C (123.8°F).
- Iran: In June, a heat wave in Iran broke records. Ahvaz soared to 54°C (129.2°F), and with humidity, it felt like 61°C (141.8°F)!
- United Kingdom: On June 21, the UK had its hottest day since 1976, hitting 34.5°C (94.1°F) at London Heathrow Airport.
- Greece: On June 29, hot air from the Sahara Desert caused temperatures of 42°C to 45°C (107.6°F to 113°F) for three days.
2018 Heat Waves:
- Pakistan and India: In May and June, a heat wave affected these countries, causing many illnesses.
- British Isles: In April, May, and July, the UK and Ireland experienced long periods of hot weather, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F).
- North America: This heat wave started in Mexico in May. In July, it caused power outages in California and sadly led to illnesses in Quebec, Canada.
- Japan: In mid-July, a heat wave in Japan caused many hospitalizations and illnesses.
- Europe: Much of Europe had above-average temperatures and drought, leading to wildfires in Sweden and Greece.
2019 Heat Waves:
- Australia: From December 2018, Australia faced constant record-breaking heat waves. Adelaide recorded its hottest day ever at 46.6°C (115.9°F) in January. Many homes lost power.
- Southeastern United States: In late May, an unusually strong early-season heat wave broke all-time May records in several cities.
- Japan: In late May, Saroma in Hokkaido reached 39.5°C (103.1°F), the highest May temperature ever recorded in Japan.
- Indo-Pakistani Heat Wave: This heat wave reached a near-record high of 50.8°C (123.4°F) in Churu, India.
- European Heat Wave: Starting in June, very hot air from the Sahara moved over Europe, breaking national heat records in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and the UK.
- Eastern United States: A long drought and heat wave affected the eastern US from September to October, with record high temperatures for October in many cities.
- Australia (December): A heat wave in December set a new record for the average temperature across the country at 41.9°C (107.4°F), making bushfires worse.

2020s: Recent Extreme Events

2020 Heat Waves:
- Australia (January): Canberra and Penrith smashed their all-time records, reaching 44.0°C (111.2°F) and 48.9°C (120°F) respectively. Penrith was the hottest place on Earth that day!
- Northern New England and Eastern Canada: In May, Montreal broke its all-time May record, reaching 36.6°C (97.9°F). In June, Bathurst and Miramichi in New Brunswick hit 37.2°C (99°F).
- Siberia: A heat wave in Siberia set an all-time record high in Verkhoyansk on June 20, reaching 38°C (100.4°F), possibly the hottest temperature ever recorded so far north in the Arctic!
- United Kingdom: After a cool July, temperatures soared to 37.8°C (100°F) at London Heathrow Airport on July 31.
- Western United States: In August, Death Valley reached 54.4°C (129.9°F), one of the highest temperatures ever recorded on Earth.
- Japan: Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, recorded 41.1°C (106°F) on August 17, its highest temperature since records began in 1882.
2021 Heat Waves:
- Europe (Winter): In mid-February, a Saharan dust jet-stream brought a winter heat wave to Europe, with Berlin reaching 20°C (68°F). Beijing also had a record-high winter temperature of 25.6°C (78.1°F).
- Siberia: The 2021 Russia heat wave and drought caused severe wildfires.
- Canadian Prairies: In June, Gretna, Manitoba, reached 41.3°C (106.3°F), the earliest time in the year Canada had temperatures over 40°C (104°F).
- Southwestern United States: In mid-June, Death Valley, California, reached 53.3°C (128°F).
- Western North America: In late June, temperatures soared above 38°C (100.4°F) in the Pacific Northwest. Portland, Oregon, hit 46.7°C (116°F), and Seattle reached 42.2°C (108°F). Lytton, British Columbia, reached an incredible 49.6°C (121.3°F), breaking Canada's all-time record!
- Southern Europe: In July, a heat wave hit Turkey, Greece, and Italy. On August 11, Floridia, Sicily, recorded 48.8°C (119.8°F), the highest temperature ever in Europe!
2022 Heat Waves:
- South America: In January, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay had a record-breaking heat wave, with temperatures over 44°C (111.2°F).
- India: Starting in late March, India experienced one of its hottest March–April periods ever.
- United States (May): A major heat wave affected the US in May. Sadly, some people became ill due to the intense heat.
- Japan: In late June, Japan had its worst heat wave in 150 years.
- Europe: The 2022 European heat waves affected much of Western Europe and the UK. Temperatures in Spain reached 45.7°C (114.3°F). The UK had its first "red extreme heat warning," and temperatures may have reached 40.3°C (104.5°F), the first time the UK exceeded 40°C!
2023 Heat Waves:
- Asia: In April, heat waves hit South Asia and China. Luang Prabang, Laos, reached 42.7°C (108.9°F), the highest in Laos' history. Vietnam recorded its highest ever temperature of 44.1°C (111.4°F) in May.
- Europe ("Cerberus" and "Charon"): Starting in July, record-breaking heat waves affected many European countries, especially Greece, Italy, and Spain. These heat waves were even given names like "Cerberus" and "Charon" from Greek mythology!

2023's June–July-August season was the warmest on record globally by a large margin.

September 2023 was the warmest September on record globally.

- September European Heat Wave: In September, much of western Europe had unusually high temperatures. The UK had seven days in a row above 30.2°C (86.4°F). Paris recorded 36.5°C (97.7°F), a new all-time record for September.
2024 Heat Waves:
- North America: Since March, severe heat waves have impacted Mexico, the Southern United States, and Central America, breaking many temperature records and causing water shortages.
- Southeast Asia: Since April, Southeast Asia has faced a severe heat wave, with temperatures up to 38.8°C (101.8°F), leading to school closures and health warnings.
- India and Pakistan: Since May, the longest heat wave has occurred in India and Pakistan. New Delhi, India, reached a record 49°C (120.2°F).
- Europe: Since mid-June, Greece and Turkey have experienced heat waves, with forecasts up to 43°C (109.4°F) in Greece.
- Mecca, Saudi Arabia: In mid-June, high temperatures in Mecca during the Hajj pilgrimage sadly caused many illnesses.
- Japan: In July, at least 59 heat-related illnesses were recorded in Japan, with many observation posts breaking temperature records.

2025

Australia (January): A heat wave struck much of Australia. Melbourne reached 41°C (105.8°F), and fire bans were issued.