Understanding the 2022 heat wave mechanism in the Iberian Peninsula

Recently, the intensity and frequency of heat waves have been increasing worldwide. Especially in 2022, Europe was severely affected by unprecedented heat waves, resulting in about 3,000 deaths in Spain. In this study, we investigate the mechanisms of extreme heat waves in the Iberian Peninsula and examine the differences between the typical heat wave cases and heat waves in 2022. Results show that the Iberian heat waves of 2022 strongly developed during two periods (9−18 June and 8−18 July; P1 and P2, respectively). The typical heat wave cases exhibit wave patterns, but in 2022, a high-pressure anomaly developed over the North Atlantic, blocking the atmosphere and enhancing the heatwave in the Iberian Peninsula. In the P1 period, the lower troposphere in the Iberian Peninsula was moistened, resulting in a water vapor-driven heat dome. In contrast, during the P2 period, the dry atmosphere was heated, causing high temperatures. As a result, the longer-than-normal blocking events over the Iberian Peninsula led to a prolonged heat dome, causing the unprecedented Iberian heat wave.

 

Keywords: Heat waves, Europe, Iberian Peninsula, blocking, extreme events

 

Acknowledgment

This research was supported by the Specialized university program for confluence analysis of Weather and Climate Data of the Korea Meteorological Institut (KMI) funded by the Korean government (KMA) and the Korea Meteorological Administration Research and Development Program under Grant KMI (KMI2022-01311).