2021 Eurasia winter heat wave
High temperatures in February, 2021, across Europe
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Across Europe[1] and parts of Asia, unusually high-temperatures in the late-winter period were reported from February 20 until February 28, 2021. The onset of the short-lasting winter heat wave was caused by a jet stream of Saharan dust. Daily high temperatures for the period were similar to the maximum high temperatures during spring.[2]
In the capitals of Germany and France, Berlin[3] and Paris, high temperatures of 20 °C (68 °F) were reported. The capitals of the UK and Poland, London and Warsaw, had high temperatures around 18 °C (64 °F). Croatia saw its highest overall temperature of 26.4 °C (79.5 °F). The capital of China, Beijing, also experienced the highest overall winter temperature: 25.6 °C (78.1 °F).[4][5]
Areas affected
United Kingdom
The previous winter heatwave, that affected the United Kingdom in 2019, set a record-breaking day in Aboyne, Scotland, after 122 years at 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) with three other sites exceeding over 20 °C (68 °F).[6] Warnings were set off across UK for not only the heatwave but a pollen bomb just shortly after the January 2021 coldwave went through UK and Europe.[7]
Europe
Among the European cities such as Berlin, and Paris reaching 20 °C (68 °F), the warmer climate of Europe also has seen increase of overall high winter temperature and those were reported in Slovenia at 25.2 °C (77.4 °F), Italy at 25.2 °C (77.4 °F)[8] and Czech Republic at 20 °C (68 °F). In Poland, record temperature of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) was reported in Makow Podhalanski and in Slovakia at Hurbanavo, a high temperature of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F) was reported. Sweden had set a record high temperature of 16.8 °C (62.2 °F) caused by the foehn wind.[9]
Asia
In China, Beijing experienced a record high day of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) breaking the 1996 record on February 13,[10] while Anyang and Hefei hit 28.8 °C (83.8 °F) and 28.7 °C (83.7 °F), respectively. While Longzhou and Cao Bang both reached 29.5 °C (85.1 °F) on February 20. Pohang, South Korea surpassed its own 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) set in 2004 with a new 24.9 °C (76.8 °F) on February 21.[11] In China, it was the warmest February recorded nationwide since 1961.