Heat wave

The heatwave scorching much of Northern Hemisphere is putting human lives on the line and threatening power grids. Climate change is exacerbating weather extremes, making heatwaves more frequent and more severe worldwide. Recently, scientists have associated persistent heatwaves in the Northern Hemisphere with a northward displacement of the jet stream.

A warmer-than-usual winter and a two-week heatwave that pushed the thermometer above 40 degrees Celsius on successive days has raised the temperature of Greece's seas by as much as 5 degrees, a report showed on Saturday.

Amid blistering heatwaves sweeping across the country, resulting in record-breaking temperatures and triggering wildfires, Agriculture and Forestry Ministry has raised concerns over the alarming surge in water consumption, urging citizens to use water judiciously.

Pope Francis urged governments to do more to fight climate change and protect "our common home" as improving weather conditions Friday helped firefighters contain wildfires in Greece, Italy and other countries in southern Europe.

The 15-day heat wave that ended on Wednesday evening, July 26, was the longest one recorded in the country, the National Observatory of Athens' weather service Meteo.gr has said.

The heat wave comprised three phases: from July 12 to 15, from July 18 to 23 and from July 23 to 26.

A Greek air force water-dropping plane crashed while diving into a wildfire in southern Greece on Tuesday, killing both pilots, as authorities battled blazes that have been raging for days across the country amid a return of heat wave temperatures.

A third successive heatwave in Greece pushed temperatures back above 40 degrees Celsius (104F) across parts of the country Tuesday.

In Athens, authorities resumed afternoon closing hours at the ancient Acropolis, from 1 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., as part of broader measures to protect visitors, and staff, from the oppressive heat.

Authorities have ordered the Acropolis to close from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday as temperatures climb to the 40-Celsius mark.

The iconic site has been closed during the hottest part of the day for several days over the past two weeks as Greece struggles with a persistent heatwave that has sent the thermometer in many parts of the country soaring to as high as 45 degrees Celsius.

Amidst record-breaking temperatures and intensifying heatwaves scorching Türkiye, along with the rest of the world, fuelled by the El Nino phenomenon, a meteorologist has warned that the country should brace itself to experience the hottest day of the year on July 26.

Temperatures receded slightly on Monday but areas in Greece remained in the midst of a heatwave with high temperatures in several regions of the country. According to automated weather stations operated by the National Observatory of Athens and meteo.gr, 32 of these stations recorded temperatures exceeding 40 degrees.