So far this year, only Drammen has reached what is defined as a heat wave in Norway. This means that they have had a period of five or more days where the maximum temperature is 27 degrees or higher. – It seems that more will follow during the weekend, says meteorologist Anne Solveig Andersen at the Meteorological Institute. The warning applies to the whole of southern Norway. Several places will see temperatures climb above 30 degrees. As a result of global warming, heat records are coming more frequently over large parts of the world. The global average temperature in the first part of June was the highest ever recorded, according to the EU’s climate monitoring service. The tiny clothing store Reprise in Gamlebyen is in the middle of the sun. Without air conditioning, it quickly becomes 40 degrees in the shop premises on the hottest days. – I was there recently, and it was boiling hot. You can’t breathe. It gets so hot, Anette Eggan Laskemoen, who runs the shop. The tiny clothing store Reprise in Gamlebyen is in the middle of the sun. Photo: Screenshot During her 17 years in the store, she has considered investing in air conditioning, but the store is small and the investments large. In addition, the electricity price has been high. Closed doors mean lost revenue. – On the other hand, people aren’t looking for clothes when it’s so hot that they can’t wear enough clothes, says Laskemoen. Unusually early At 11 a.m. today, Drammen passed 27 degrees for the fifth day in a row. The last time there was a heat wave in Norway was in 2021. What is unusual this year is that the heat wave comes so early. If it is unusual, there have also been previous heat waves early in the summer. According to today’s criteria, which have been changed in recent years, Drammen experienced a heat wave from 30 May to 3 June 2018. – Usually the heat comes in towards July, but this year we have had a hot May and June. It is a bit unusual to have a heat wave in June, says state meteorologist Stine Sagen. A heat wave is expected over most of South-East Norway in the next few days: Evenstad, Asker, Nesbyen, Gulsvik, Kjeller, Hønefoss and Sigdal. Certain places in Vestland, such as Voss and Kvamsøy, may also experience a heat wave. Meteorologist Anne Solveig Andersen. Photo: Marit Hommedal Over 20 degrees difference In Northern Norway, the situation is different. In Tromsø, the thermometer hardly exceeds 8 degrees today. – There is clearly a big difference between the south and the north now, says Andersen. Gradually, the heat will move north, and the heat will decrease somewhat in southern Norway during the next week. – It will still be hot, but not as hot as in southern Norway. Asking people to take precautions The Meteorological Institute has collaborated with the Institute of Public Health (FHI) on new definitions of what is considered a heat wave. When temperatures remain high for a long time, it can be dangerous for some people. – It is especially important for the elderly, and people who are sick and vulnerable when it is so hot that they take precautions, says Andersen. The recommendations are to take in enough fluids, stay in the shade and preferably in cool rooms. Bus driver Anders Gravdal has fun on the line in the Nupen park in Kristiansand Photo: Tom Nicolai Kolstad / news In the Nupen park in Kristiansand, Anders Gravdal has a break from work. – I work as a bus driver and it can be quite hot. But I’m half-Filipino, so I tolerate the heat well, says the Bergen resident. Although the temperatures have been high, it has not been a tropical night. This means that temperatures do not drop below 20 degrees during the night. Ferder Fyr are the closest, last night they had 19.4 degrees. Forest fire danger Large parts of southern Norway have forest fire danger at the orange level. Therefore, the Norwegian Directorate for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (DSB) now has an additional five forest fire helicopters on staff. In addition to the fixed machine at Torp, there are now 11 extra helicopters ready to go out in the event of a fire in the terrain. – It is relatively unusual that we have so many helicopters on standby, but it is an assessment we have made based on the weather forecast and especially based on how we think lightning and thunderstorms will behave over the next 24 hours, says section chief Dag Rune Omland. Increase preparedness after many forest fires. Photo: Lars Erik Skrefsrud In addition to the fixed helicopter at Torp, there are helicopters on standby at Kjeller (2), Kjevik (2), Sauda, Værnes, Alta, Voss, Stavanger, Aurland and Sogndal (all one helicopter). Preparedness has increased throughout the week. – When the temperature increases, the rate of evaporation increases. There will be lightning and storms, and when it is as dry as it has been and will be, it will quickly cause fires, says Omland. In addition to various weather forecasts, weekends often offer increased use of the terrain. – With lightning and thunder at the top, we see ourselves forced to escalate the preparedness, says Omland.
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The meteorologists declare an “unusual early” heat wave – news Vestland
