Europe: Heatwave 2023
The researchers found that anthropogenic climate change has caused a tenfold increase in extreme heat in recent decades.
Introduction
In July 2023, Italy and much of southern Europe faced a severe heatwave, with temperatures initially reaching 38°C (100°F). The event was driven by an anticyclone named Cerberus, followed shortly after by an even more intense system known as Caronte. These back-to-back heatwaves pushed temperatures above 40°C (104°F) across central and southern Italy, with extreme peaks of 48°C (118.4°F) recorded in Sicily and Sardinia. The heatwaves were informally named after figures from Greek mythology: Cerberus, the three-headed dog guarding the gates of the underworld, and Caronte (Charon), the mythic ferryman guiding souls to the afterlife.
Their ominous names captured the public's growing concern about escalating heat extremes. By early 2023, human activity had already increased global average temperatures by approximately 1.1°C (2°F) since 1900. As the planet continues to warm, heatwaves like these are expected to become more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting. Swift, decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is essential if we hope to prevent even more dangerous levels of heat in the years ahead.
Explore resources on the 2023 heatwaves in Europe.
