4. The 1995 Chicago City Heat Wave
Source: http://tinyurl.com/2wpkxhw
Chicago wasn’t the most desirable city in the mid-1990s. With its reputation damaged by crime and the economy still recovering from the early 1990s recession, the Windy City was far from ideal for most American residents. In mid-July, daytime temperatures soared from their relatively warm standard levels of 25ºC to over 40ºC, causing major problems for the city’s infrastructure and residents.
The problems were compounded by Chicago’s crime climate at the time. Residents without air conditioning refused to open their windows for fear of robberies and crime, while those with air conditioning were concerned about their power bill increasing. A total of 700 people were left dead or injured as a result of the heat wave – one of the worst natural events in recent US history.
5. The 2007 Asia-Wide Hot Cloud
Source: http://tinyurl.com/367mvz9
Hearing that India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar are warm is no surprise – their temperatures regularly exceed 35ºC, and residents treat is with little regard or surprise. However, hearing that temperatures have skyrocketed throughout Russiea the People’s Republic of China, and Korea would come as a shock to most, since those countries aren’t particularly well-known for their extreme heat.
Nevertheless, a large pocket of warm air crossed the Asian continent in 2007. Covering everything from New Delhi to Beijing, the huge burst of heat caused entire companies to shut down their operation and even the explosion of a fireworks factory in China’s capital, Beijing. While Southeast Asia escaped untouched by the heat wave, we can’t help but think residents wouldn’t have noticed – temperatures throughout the region tend to hover around 35ºC year-round.
6. Argentina’s Warmest Winter, 2009
Source: http://tinyurl.com/3ajjn7f
South America has a reputation as the world’s wildest and most exotic continent. While Argentina tends to excel in the more historic and traditional aspects of Latin culture, the giant country does offer a temperature that’s cause for envy. With year-round mediterranean weather in the capital and lush mountain scenery in the country’s souther regions, Argentina could be one of the world’s most varied climate zones.
However, its temperatures throughout winter 2009 were just one thing: consistently warm. Tanning fans will have enjoyed the boost in temperature, but many Buenos Aires residents objected to the extreme heat, opting to open windows or pump out cool air conditioned air to stay comfortable. The city rarely experiences any heat during winter, but 2009 saw highs of over 34ºC.
