Climate Change Slows and Intensifies Global Heat Waves, Study Finds

Since 1979, heat waves last longer and occur more frequently, with significant impacts on global weather patterns.

Since 1979, climate change has made global heat waves move 20% more slowly, last longer, and occur 67% more often.
Heat waves now last an average of 12 days, up from 8 days between 1979 and 1983, with the highest temperatures warmer than 40 years ago.
Eurasia has experienced especially longer-lasting heat waves, while Africa saw the most significant slowdown in movement.
Computer simulations attribute these changes to heat-trapping emissions from burning coal, oil, and natural gas.
The study highlights the weakening of atmospheric waves like the jet stream, which slows the movement of heat waves across continents.