A Record-Breaking Heat Wave Hits West Africa in Mid-February, Climate Change to Blame
In a shocking turn of events, a remarkably early and record-breaking heat wave swept through the southern part of West Africa in mid-February, leaving residents and officials stunned. According to a new analysis by an international team of scientists, climate change played a significant role in making this extreme heat 10 times more likely. The extra greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels also pushed the heat index about four degrees Celsius higher than it would have been otherwise.
National weather agencies in Ghana and Nigeria were quick to issue warnings to the public as they saw the unusual temperatures approaching. The Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament in Ivory Coast had to make adjustments during the heat wave, with players taking extra breaks to stay hydrated.
What made this heat wave particularly alarming was the early onset of high temperatures in the year, catching many off guard and leaving them with less time to acclimate. Wasiu Adeniyi Ibrahim, head of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s central forecast office, noted that many people wouldn’t have been prepared for the intense heat.
During the peak of the heat wave, humidity added to the danger, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The heat index, which factors in both heat and humidity, reached around 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), making the air feel even hotter.
While researchers have limited data on the broader impact of the heat wave across West Africa, there are concerns about potential hospitalizations and deaths. Maja Vahlberg, a risk consultant at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, highlighted the vulnerability of many residents in the region who lack access to basic necessities like water, energy, and sanitation during extreme weather events.
The analysis by World Weather Attribution took longer than usual due to the limited data available from weather stations in West Africa. However, the early occurrence of this extreme heat serves as a warning for what may come in the region and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere as summer approaches. The need for adaptation and mitigation strategies to combat the effects of climate change has never been more urgent.
