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The European Heatwave Of 2003 (UK)

Shortened Article - Victor Muraviev

In 2003, Europe had been struck by a massive heatwave which resulted in the hottest summer since 1540. Health crises in several countries occurred this was due to the heatwave and a drought which caused a crop shortage. The death toll was reported to be over 70,000. The main heatwave was recorded in August and July, it was partly due to seasonal lag.

2003 European Heat Wave
Difference in average temperature during the Heatwave based on (2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004)
Known for	Hottest Summer in Europe since 1540

Effects on the UK

In the UK there were approximately 2000 deaths that were related to heat. The following are human effects:

• Heat Stroke - this is when sweating alone is not enough to keep a good core body temperature. This can lead to headaches, dizziness and sometime death.
• Dehydration - this is when there is an insufficient amount of water in our bodies. This may cause tiredness and issues with heart rates and breathing.
• Drowning - after trying to cool off in lakes and rivers some people drowned.
• Sunburn - damage to the skin which may increase chances of getting skin cancer and is also painful.
• Air pollution - it is thought to have caused approximately one third of deaths related to the UK heatwave.

The following are environmental and social effects:

• Tourism - increased levels of tourism were reported in many areas of the UK while the weather was unusually hot and dry.
• The London Eye closed - the popular Ferris wheel closed due to the temperature in the cabins being too hot.
• Transport - The London Underground became unbearable; multiple railway tracks buckled in the heat. Some boats were prevented from sailing due to low river levels. Multiple road surfaces melted.
• Agriculture - much livestock such as chickens, pigs and cows died because of the heat in Europe and the dry conditions caused the crops to fail. Europe was cost an estimated 13.1 billion Euros because of this.

Cause of the Heatwave

An anticyclone residing above western Europe led to record high temperatures over certain periods due to preventing precipitation. High pressure brought dry and hot air from Europe's interior through Easterly winds and dry air from North Africa through Southerly winds.

Responses

Short Term Responses:

• Advisory Advertising - simple advertising for people to understand how they should act in this situation.
• Weather Forecasts - these provide the government and general public with a warning in advance of extreme weather. Consequently preparations and precautions can take place.
• Restrictions - some restrictions include the banning of hose-pipes to conserve water and speed limits on railways to prevent them from buckling.

Long Term Responses:

• Planning - Due to water supply shortages hose-pipes were banned in several countries. Efforts to improve its prevention, surveillance and alert system for people such as the elderly people living alone were made by the French government.
• Aid - France requested aid from the EU as to deal with the effects of the heatwave.
• Flexible Working - Some workers would alter their working hours as to suit the conditions better (e.g. some refuse collectors would start to pick up earlier and would rapidly decompose rubbish from the streets thus avoiding the heat of the day).