Heat waves are often preceded by a

peculiar global weather pattern. It

consists of five high-pressure

systems evenly distributed across

the Northern or the Southern

Hemisphere during the summer as

the jet stream follows the path of the sun. The jet stream is a river of high

wind in the atmosphere that flows

from west to east around the globe.

Scientists found that these extreme

events were often preceded by this

pattern, up to 15 to 20 days

beforehand. Heat waves happen

when "domes" of warm air build up

and persist in a given area.

During this heat wave over 30,000 people died. Those at greatest risk of adverse health outcomes include older adults, infants, those with a history of prior heatstroke, and those who are obese. This consequences could have been minimized:

- Develop an early warning surveillance system that triggers the mobilization of prevention and intervention activities.

- Identify the location of residents who might be at risk due to age, pre-existing conditions, lack of air conditioning, and other environmental or health factors.

- Work with utilities to educate the public about preventive actions when energy blackouts might be anticipated.

Low river flows and lake levels

The River Danube in Serbia fell to its lowest level in

100 years. Deposits and rivers used for public water

supply and hydro-electric schemes either dried up or

ran extremely low.

Wildfires

The lack of rainfall meant very dry conditions over

much of Europe. Wildfires broke out in many countries.

In Portugal 215,000 hectares area of forest were

destroyed. This is an area the same size as

Luxembourg. This made river water quality poor when

the ash and soil washed into rivers.

Melting glaciers

Extreme snow and glacier-melt in the European Alps

led to increased rock and ice falls in the mountains.

Humans turn disastrous

events into catastrophes

because most humans do

not recycle and

contaminate more than

usual and this affects

climate change and the

atmosphere and contributes

greatly lot of gases that

produce global warming

that is. One way to avoid

these catastrophes is all put

something on your part to

help and avoid these

problem.

France requested aid from the European Union to deal with the effects.

Public water supply shortages occurred in several countries, including the UK and Croatia, which led to a temporary ban on using hose pipes.

TV news, internet and newspapers informed the public on how to cope with the heat - drinking plenty of water, wearing cool clothing, and staying in the shade in the middle of the day.

Workers around Europe altered their working hours. Some garbage men started earlier to pick up rapidly decomposing rubbish from the streets.

http://www.livescience.com/40722-predicting-heat-waves.html

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/weather-phenomena/case-studies/heatwave

https://www.pik-potsdam.de/news/press-releases/archive/2005/severe-impact-of-the-2003-european-heat-wave-on-ecosystems

Jose Aguilar Muñoz

Juan Soler Vallejo