Overview

• China’s national average reached 22.31°C from June to August, the highest since records began in 1961, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
• Japan logged its hottest summer since 1898 with temperatures 2.36°C above the seasonal norm, and authorities reported 84,521 heat-related hospitalizations between May 1 and August 24.
• South Korea recorded an average of 25.7°C, the highest since 1973, and the coastal city of Gangneung was placed under a national disaster designation with strict household water restrictions due to drought.
• France’s summer ranked third-warmest since 1900 at a 22.2°C mean with a +1.9°C anomaly, including 27 days meeting heatwave criteria, officials said.
• Scientists report that human-caused climate change is making heat waves more intense and frequent, with NOAA data showing Europe warming fastest per decade since 1990, followed by Asia.