Heat Wave Passes Through the Persian Gulf
A heatwave traversing the Middle East has led to record-breaking temperatures in several nations bordering the Persian Gulf.
Source: Wikimedia
Throughout the Middle East, the heat index, which refers to what a temperature feels like to humans due to humidity and other factors, reached a staggering 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Countries Most Affected by the Heatwave
Iran and the United Arab Emirates have been hit the hardest, with temperatures ranging between 140 and 150 Fahrenheit in the two nations.
Source: Wikimedia
According to reports, the temperature at Iran’s Persian Gulf International Airport rose to 108 degrees Fahrenheit and a heat index of nearly 150 degrees.
Iranian Cities Feel the Effects of a Heatwave
Several major cities throughout Iran also felt the effects of the heatwave, with Ahvaz, Abadan, and Omidiyeh recording temperatures of over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Source: Wikimedia
Due to the scorching heat, government offices were forced to close in Ahvaz. Meteorologists working in Iran suggest that extreme weather and frequent heat waves are directly related to climate.
Iran’s Heatwave Set to Continue
Speaking with ISNA News, Mohammad Sabzezari, Director-General of Khuzestan’s Meteorological Department, explained that the heatwave will continue to affect the nation for most of the remainder of June.
Source: Freepik
“Most areas in Khuzestan, except for the eastern and northern highlands, will experience maximum temperatures of 49 degrees Celsius or higher until June 23,” Sabzezari added.
Dubai Greatly Affected by Recent Heat Wave
Dubai is another area greatly affected by the recent heat wave tearing through the Persian Gulf.
Source: Wikimedia
Already known for its hot desert climate, the government has issued safety warnings as temperatures soar into the triple digits nationwide, reaching a high of around 144 degrees on the heat index.
One of the Hottest Places to Live on Earth
Dubai has previously been ranked as one of the most dangerous cities to live in due to its scorching summer heat.
Source: Wikimedia
Due to the extreme humidity in regions such as Dubai, the air temperature can sometimes increase by up to 30 degrees.
Intense Heat in Saudi Arabia
The extreme weather witnessed throughout June around the Persian Gulf comes less than a month after temperatures in Saudi Arabia rose to an average of around 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
Source: Wikimedia
Tragically, over 1,300 Muslims lost their lives during their annual pilgrimage to the Hajj, a direct result of the intense heat, according to Human Rights Watch.
NASA Analysis of the Persian Gulf
According to a NASA study, by 2050, the inhabitants of the Persian Gulf will be exposed to life-threatening living conditions due to extreme heat.
Source: Wikimedia
“The results have important implications. The hotter it is, the more strain our bodies feel, and the more we need to sweat to cool down. But humid air has less capacity to hold additional moisture, so water evaporates more slowly in humid conditions,” wrote the researchers.
Regions Set to Be Affected by 2050
NASA researchers theorize that heat waves similar to those recently hitting the Middle East may become more frequent over the next several decades and bring with them a plethora of health concerns.
Source: Wikimedia
“Climate models tell us certain regions are likely to exceed those temperatures in the next 30 to 50 years. The most vulnerable areas include South Asia, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea by around 2050,” they wrote.
Record Temperature in the Middle East
Despite the record-breaking temperatures in several cities throughout the Middle East in June, they still fell short of the record high recorded in 2023.
Source: Freepik
Last year, the Persian Gulf region recorded a heat index of a staggering 158 degrees Fahrenheit, marking the hottest day ever recorded in the area.
Human-Induced Climate Change
Scientists continue to blame human-induced climate change as extreme heat waves become more frequent in the Persian Gulf and other regions worldwide.
Source: Freepik
Unfortunately, the areas most susceptible to increasing temperatures may become inhospitable over the next few decades, leaving scientists to call on governmental officials to take a stronger stance against the leading causes of rising global temperatures.
