Get ready for super extreme heat waves

Remember that horrible heat wave in Europe in 2003 that killed thousands of humans? Well, according to a new study by Andreas Sterl at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, and as reported by the AP, in a few decades, “People will look back at those heat waves and laugh, we will find (those temperatures) lovely and cool.”

According to Sterl’s models, by the end of the century, high temperatures for once-in-a generation heat waves will rise twice as fast as average

temperatures. Chicago extremes will go to 115, Paris to 109, Los Angeles to 117 and Atlanta to 100 degrees. While most global warming research focuses on average temperatures, Sterl’s model focuses on the extremes, which can cause great damage. Around the world, extreme temperatures could go even higher, with New Delhi, India going to 120 degrees and Baghdad to 122.

Not only will heat waves be more extreme, according to Sterl’s model, but they will additionally last longer.

[Source] Patricia Mayville-Cox