Heatwave of 2024

The summer of 2024 has brought intense heatwaves to Europe, reviving memories of past extreme weather events such as the 2003 European heatwave. These 2024 heatwaves are proving to be even more severe, with temperatures breaking new records and affecting millions of people across the continent. The situation is worse than ever, highlighting the urgent need for effective heat mitigation strategies.

The science behind the 2024 heatwaves

The heatwaves in Europe, North America and Asia are the result of several interrelated factors. Being one of the most important contributor is the persistent meandering of the jet stream, creating what meteorologists call an “omega block”. This weather pattern, which resembles the Greek letter Omega (Ω), prevents the usual west-to-east movement of weather systems, causing heat to stagnate and intensify over the affected regions.

This weather pattern, characterized by a stationary high-pressure system that traps heat, is contributing to the intense and prolonged heat episodes experienced across central and southern Europe. This year, temperatures have consistently exceeded 40°C in many regions, including Spain, Italy, and the Balkans, and there is no immediate relief in sight. This phenomenoon, alongside other climate factors, is driving one of the hottest summers on record, with experts warning that this pattern could persist well into August and potentially into the fal​l. Given these ongoing extreme conditions, the urban heat island effect is a critical concern, exacerbating the already dangerous temperatures in cities. Urban areas, with their abundance of heat-retaining materials like asphalt and concrete, are particularly vulnerable. This highlights the need for innovative urban planning and the implementation of cooling strategies to protect public health​.

The urban heat island effect: A growing concern

As cities continue to expand, the concentration of buildings, roads and other infrastructure has led to an increase in the urban heat island effect. This effect not only exacerbates the overall temperature in cities, but also contributes to higher energy consumption, poorer air quality and greater strain on public health systems. As heatwaves become more frequent and severe, the impact on urban populations is increasingly worrying.

Rethinking urban design for a hotter future

To address the growing threat of extreme heat in urban areas, it is critical to implement strategies that reduce the urban heat island effect and create cooler, more resilient cities. Urban planning must prioritise the integration of green spaces such as parks, gardens and green roofs, which can provide shade and reduce surface temperatures. In addition, the use of reflective or cool materials in construction can help minimise heat absorption.

A powerful tool available to urban planners and architects is ENVI-met software. This advanced modelling software allows users to simulate microclimatic conditions in urban environments, enabling them to assess the impact of different design strategies on temperature, airflow and human comfort. In particular, ENVI-met’s features provide a detailed analysis of how different factors contribute to heat stress in urban environments, helping designers to design spaces that can better protect occupants during extreme heat events. To learn more about this feature, explore ENVI-met’s heat stress simulation capabilities.

Building resilience through smart urban design

As climate change continues to drive extreme weather events, it is important that we adapt our cities to be more resilient. Through thoughtful urban design and the use of innovative tools like ENVI-met, we can mitigate the effects of heatwaves and create healthier, more liveable urban environments.

For more information on how ENVI-met software can help design climate resilient cities, visit the official ENVI-met website.