Longer heatwaves driven by ‘turbo-charged’ climate change, say scientists

Record heat in Europe is part of a pattern of more intense heatwaves made more likely by climate breakdown

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Scientists say “turbo-charged” climate change is driving the prolonged period of record temperatures currently baking much of the planet.

As the planet has heated, hotter-than-usual spells have become more intense and now last on average about 24 hours longer than 60 years ago, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Noaa data from the 50 most populous cities in the US shows the heatwave season is 49 days longer now compared with the 1960s.