The heatwave which has gripped large parts of the northern hemisphere could last MONTHS – because the jet stream which keeps air flowing has been stalled over Europe since May as a result of warming of the Arctic, scientists have warned. The UK has been sweltering with the mercury regularly surged past 30C in recent weeks, with some parts of the south-east having seen no significant rainfall for almost two months.
Meanwhile, hot weather exceeding 40C has been blamed for deaths in Japan and South Korea, while wildfires have raged in California, Sweden, and most recently in Greece this week, with scores of people feared dead. In addition, Scandinavian sectors of the Arctic Circle has witnessed temperatures of more than 30C, with Norway recording a record high of 33.5C in the town of Bardufoss, just south of Tromsø. New Scientist magazine quoted a Met Office spokesman as saying: “It could persist for weeks, potentially for months.” READ MORE
