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As I endure my second hot and humid Japanese summer, I’ve been pondering why Japan hasn’t issued any heat wave alerts, especially when I keep seeing news about heat wave alerts in European countries on Euronews.

In Japan, a heat wave alert is issued when temperatures are expected to reach or exceed a specific threshold that poses a significant health risk, particularly to vulnerable populations. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) typically issues a heat wave alert when temperatures are forecasted to reach 35°C (95°F) or higher for an extended period. Factors such as humidity and nighttime temperatures are also taken into account to assess the severity of conditions. These alerts are part of a broader effort to prevent heat-related illnesses and provide guidance on staying safe during extreme heat.

In other parts of the world, the criteria for issuing heat wave alerts can vary significantly depending on the country’s climate, typical temperature ranges, and health guidelines.

• United States: The National Weather Service (NWS) issues heat advisories and excessive heat warnings based on the Heat Index, combining temperature and humidity. A Heat Advisory is typically issued when the Heat Index is forecast to reach 100-105°F (38-40°C) for two or more days, while an Excessive Heat Warning is issued when it reaches 105-110°F (40-43°C) or higher.
• Europe: European countries have varying thresholds for heat wave alerts, often depending on their typical summer temperatures. For example, the UK Met Office issues heat-health alerts based on regional temperature thresholds, ranging from 25-28°C (77-82°F) in cooler areas to 30-32°C (86-90°F) in warmer areas. France uses a color-coded system with four levels, where a red alert is issued when temperatures are forecast to exceed thresholds determined by regional climate norms for three consecutive days.
• Australia: The Bureau of Meteorology issues heatwave warnings based on the forecasted severity of heat conditions. A heatwave is defined as three or more days of high maximum and minimum temperatures that are unusual for that location. The severity is categorized into low-intensity, severe, and extreme heatwaves.
• India: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issues a heatwave alert when the maximum temperature reaches 40°C (104°F) or more in the plains, 37°C (98.6°F) or more in coastal areas, and 30°C (86°F) or more in hilly regions. An alert is also issued if there is a departure of 4.5-6.4°C from the normal maximum temperature or if the temperature exceeds 45°C (113°F).

The criteria for a heat wave alert depend on regional climate norms, humidity levels, and specific health and safety guidelines in each country. Each country adapts its alert systems to ensure public safety based on local conditions.

It’s interesting to note the different temperature thresholds for heat wave alerts around the world. While Europe issues heat alerts at relatively lower temperatures, other parts of the world do so at higher temperatures, providing a unique perspective on how different regions perceive and prepare for extreme heat.

#HeatWaveAlerts #GlobalWeather #PublicSafety #ClimateAdaptation #ExtremeHeat #HealthGuidelines