The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Siberia ‘sets extreme weather record’ for Arctic Circle
Reports that temperatures in a Russian town in the Arctic Circle likely reached a record 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) have been approved pending final verification by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), it said on Tuesday.
“The World Meteorological Organization is seeking to verify reports of a new temperature record north of the Arctic circle,” said WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis. “This is a reported 38 degrees Celsius, which if converted into Fahrenheit is more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. It was reported in the Russian town of Verkhoyansk amid a prolonged Siberian heatwave and increase in wildfire activity.”
If the Russian authorities confirm the temperature observation taken last weekend in Verkhoyansk, WMO will then refer the finding for a further detailed review by an international panel of experts, Ms. Nullis explained in Geneva.
The region of Eastern Siberia now in the spotlight is known for its weather extremes both in winter and in summer, she added, with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius not unusual in July.
“The record was reported by media to have occurred on 20 June, so this Saturday, and we’ve asked experts from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorological and Environmental Monitoring which is known by Roshydromet…We’ve asked them why and apparently this particular region of Eastern Siberia has very, very cold extremes in winter, but is also known for its extremes in summer.”
According to WMO, the Arctic is heating at roughly twice the global average.
The heat spike follows a prolonged Siberian heatwave and wildfire period, Ms. Nullis explained, after an unusually warm spring that was also characterised by a lack of snow.
This “undoubtedly helped play a critical role in causing this extreme temperature observation”, Ms. Nullis said, quoting Professor Randall Cerveny, WMO Rapporteur on Weather and Climate Extremes.
“Siberia has experienced unusual heat this spring,” Ms. Nullis continued. “May was about 10 degrees Celsius (18.5 degrees Fahrenheit) above average in many parts of Siberia and it was this extraordinary heat which actually drove, made the warmest May on record for…the northern hemisphere, and also we think at a global level as well.”
According to WMO, air temperatures in the Arctic from 2016 to 2019 were the highest on record.
Equally worrying, the volume of Arctic sea ice in September 2019 – after the melting season - declined by more than 50 per cent, compared to the average from 1979 to 2019.
WMO’s verification process involves requesting additional information from the Russian meteorological service Roshydromet, including the readings, the type of equipment used and how the observation corresponds to others taken by surrounding weather stations.
“Those data will then be very carefully examined by an international panel of atmospheric scientists who, once they discussed it, will make a recommendation as to whether or not the observation is valid,” said Professor Cerveny, quoted by WMO in a statement.
He added: “The end result will be incredibly valuable information that will help climate scientists better understand climate, engineers and medical doctors better prepare for climate extremes and even the general public in achieving a better appreciation of climate change across this planet.”
This latest report of an Arctic temperature that is more typical of the Tropics comes a few months after the Argentine research base, Esperanza, on the northern tip of the Antarctic peninsula, set a new record temperature of 18.4 degrees Celsius (65.3 degrees Fahrenheit) on 6 February 2020, WMO said.
- Exterior shot, Palais des Nations flag alley, sunny, flags fluttering.
- Wide shot, United Nations press room III, almost empty amid ongoing COVID-19 social distancing measures.
- SOUNDBITE (English) – Clare Nullis, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) spokesperson: “The World Meteorological Organization is seeking to verify reports of a new temperature record north of the Arctic circle. This is a reported 38 degrees Celsius, which if converted into Fahrenheit is more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. It was reported in the Russian town of Verkhoyansk amid a prolonged Siberian heatwave and increase in wildfire activity.”
- Medium-shot, observer checking mobile phone, seated.
- SOUNDBITE (English) – Clare Nullis, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) spokesperson: “The record was reported by media to have occurred on 20 June, so this Saturday, and we’ve asked experts from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorological and Environmental Monitoring which is known by Roshydromet as its name. We’ve asked them why and apparently this particular region of Eastern Siberia has very, very cold extremes in winter, but is also known for its extremes in summer.”
- Medium shot, journalist seated at table with laptop, looking down.
- SOUNDBITE (English) – Clare Nullis, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) spokesperson: “Siberia has experienced unusual heat this spring; May was about 10 degrees Celsius above average in many parts of Siberia and it was this extraordinary heat which actually drove, made the warmest May on record for - certainly for - the northern hemisphere, and also we think at a global level as well.”
- Wide shot: podium speaker.
- Medium shot: journalist, seated, typing on laptop.
- Medium shot: observer texting on mobile phone and at podium (out of shot).
- Wide shot: UN Geneva Palais des Nations.
- Wide shot : “Broken chair” memorial, Place des Nations, Geneva.
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | UNIFIL , UNFPA , IOM , UNHCR
As the UN Secretary-General touched down in Beirut on Friday in solidarity with the people of Lebanon, UN agencies highlighted the dangers for civilians and particularly pregnant women and migrant workers, amid ongoing airstrikes and rocket fire between Hezbollah fighters and Israel.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | HRC
Russia’s deportations of Ukrainian children amount to crimes against humanity: independent UN rights probe
Scores of Ukrainian children are still missing after being deported far and wide across Russia and occupied territories while their families continue to search for them, human rights investigators said on Thursday.
2
1
2
Edited News , Press Conferences | OCHA
The UN’s emergency relief chief on Wednesday condemned the “$1 billion-a-day” cost of the war roiling the Middle East, at a time of severe cuts to the global body’s humanitarian work in emergencies and “soaring” needs.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , WHO , UNHCR , UNICEF , WFP
Middle East war: UN warns of ‘toxic rain’ danger from oil depot strikes as mass displacement, aid supply shocks spread
Toxic “black rain” linked to strikes on oil depots, mass displacement and continuing disruption to humanitarian supply chains are upending lives across the Middle East and beyond after 10 days of war in the region, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Friday made the following remarks on Israel’s military ground incursions and displacement orders in Lebanon.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , IOM , WHO
The escalating war in the Middle East has heightened growing concerns about further civilian suffering and displacement in the region and far beyond, UN agencies said on Friday.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk made the following remarks at a press stake out on the current situation in the Middle East.
“The crisis sparked in the Middle East one week ago following US and Israeli attacks on Iran, and Iran’s counterattacks, has been spreading like wildfire. It is causing significant damage in Iran, Israel and at least a dozen other countries, mostly in the Gulf, with risks of major economic and environmental ramifications across the world,” he said.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Tuesday made the following remarks on the current situation in the Middle-East.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNHCR , WFP
Schoolgirls killed, thousands displaced, aid routes compromised: UN humanitarians deplore effects of new Middle East war
On the fourth day of Israeli and United States airstrikes against Iran and amid growing violence and instability in the Middle East, the UN urgently called for protection of civilians and warned of growing displacement and humanitarian needs.
1
1
1
Edited News | IOM
Well over 1.3 million people have fled Sudan’s ongoing war for South Sudan, the UN migration agency, IOM, reported on Friday, amid rising violence and a massive humanitarian emergency linked to the country’s political crisis.
2
1
2
Statements , Conferences , Edited News | HRC , OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday presented to the 61st Human Rights Council his global update on the human rights situation.
2
1
2
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday presented to the UN Human Rights Council a new report on the human rights situation in occupied Palestinian territory.