The record‐breaking heat wave of June 2019 in Central Europe. (11th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Peiqiang; Wang, Lin; Liu, Yuyun; Chen, Wen; Huang, Ping
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric science letters. Volume 21:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-03-11
• Subjects: heat wave -- teleconnection -- wave breaking; Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; 551
• DOI: 10.1002/asl.964
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1530-261X

Abstract

Abstract: After being hit by several devastating heat waves in recent years, Europe experienced an exceptionally hot June in 2019 again. This June is the hottest one on record over Central Europe both in a monthly‐mean sense and in terms of the number of extremely hot days. The above‐normal hot condition is caused by an anomalous long‐lasting anticyclone in the upper troposphere, which advects warm air from the Sahel and Mediterranean region and enhances incoming solar radiation and surface turbulent fluxes. The anomalous anticyclone results from an unusually‐intensified British‐Baikal Corridor (BBC) pattern and a synoptic Rossby wave breaking (RWB) event over Europe. Three sub‐monthly heat waves are observed in the month. The first two are associated with the BBC pattern, and the third is related to the combination of the previous BBC pattern activity and the RWB event. Abstract : Europe experienced the hottest June on record with the greatest number of extremely hot days in 2019. The European‐averaged daily mean surface air temperature exceeded the maximum historical record during 14–16 June and 25–27 June. The heat wave is associated with the amplification of the British‐Baikal Corridor (BBC) pattern, a teleconnection along the polar front jet, and a strong Rossby wave breaking event over the North Atlantic.