Find out more about the most extreme heat waves to ever hit the planet and the regions they affected.
What is the name of the heat wave that affected India in 2016, resulting in over 2,000 deaths?
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The Indian Heat Wave of 2016
Which of the following factors can contribute to the formation of a heat wave?
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High pressure systems, urbanization, and climate change
What is an urban heat island?
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An area of higher temperatures in urban areas compared to surrounding rural areas
What is the name of the heat wave that affected Argentina in 2013, resulting in over 1,500 deaths?
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The Argentine Heat Wave of 2013
What is the name of the heat wave that affected Canada in 2018, resulting in over 90 deaths?
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The Canadian Heat Wave of 2018
What is the difference between a heat wave and a drought?
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A heat wave is a period of excessively hot weather, while a drought is a period of dry weather with little or no precipitation
What is the main reason why nighttime temperatures are critical during a heat wave?
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Lack of relief from heat
Which of the following is not a typical characteristic of a heat dome?
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Heavy precipitation
Which country holds the record for the highest number of consecutive days above 100°F (37.8°C)?
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Australia
What is the name of the heat wave that affected Russia in 2010, causing widespread wildfires and crop failures?
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The Russian Heat Wave of 2010
What is the term for a heat wave that affects a large geographical area?
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Regional heat wave
What type of air mass is most commonly associated with heat waves in the United States?
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Continental tropical air mass
What is a heat dome?
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A high-pressure system that traps hot air and causes a heat wave
What is the name of the heat wave that affected the UK in 2018, resulting in several deaths?
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The British Heat Wave of 2018
What is the name of the heat wave that affected China in 2013, resulting in over 1,200 deaths?
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The Chinese Heat Wave of 2013
Which of the following is not a common impact of heat waves on agriculture?
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Increased crop yields
What is the name of the heat wave that affected Spain in 2019, resulting in several deaths?
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The Spanish Heat Wave of 2019
In which year was the deadliest heat wave in Europe, causing an estimated 70,000 deaths?
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2003
What is the name of the scale used to measure the intensity of heat waves in Australia?
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The Australian Heatwave Severity Index
Which age group is most vulnerable to the effects of heat waves?
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The elderly
Which US city holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded during a heat wave?
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Death Valley, California
What type of weather front is most likely to bring relief from a heat wave?
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Cold front
Which layer of the atmosphere is primarily responsible for trapping heat during a heat wave?
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Troposphere
What is the name of the heat wave that affected Brazil in 2019, resulting in several deaths?
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The Brazilian Heat Wave of 2019
What is the name of the heat wave that affected the Middle East in 2017, resulting in over 300 deaths?
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The Middle Eastern Heat Wave of 2017
Which country experienced one of the deadliest heat waves in history in 2015, resulting in over 3,500 deaths?
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India
What are some ways to prevent heat-related illnesses during a heat wave?
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Staying hydrated, staying indoors in air-conditioned spaces, and wearing loose-fitting clothing
Which of these factors does not contribute to urban heat island effect?
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Increased vegetation
What type of cloud formation is commonly associated with heat waves?
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Cirrus clouds
What term describes a prolonged period of excessively hot weather combined with high humidity?
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Heat wave
What is the term for a large-scale weather pattern that causes heat waves in North America?
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Ridge
What is the name of the heat wave that affected Europe in 2003, causing an estimated 70,000 deaths?
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The European Heat Wave of 2003
Which of the following is not a potential consequence of heat waves on infrastructure?
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Strengthened bridge supports
Which of the following is not a factor that can influence the severity of a heat wave?
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Lunar phase
Which of the following groups is at the highest risk for heat-related illnesses during a heat wave?
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Elderly people
What is the name of the heat wave that affected Pakistan in 2015, resulting in over 1,200 deaths?
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The Pakistani Heat Wave of 2015
What is the name of the phenomenon that causes the ocean waters off the coast of Peru to warm up and cause changes in global weather patterns, including heat waves?
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El Niño
What is the name of the heat wave that affected Japan in 2018, resulting in over 130 deaths?
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The Japanese Heat Wave of 2018
What is the name of the heat wave that affected Iran in 2019, resulting in several deaths?
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The Iranian Heat Wave of 2019
What is the name of the heat wave that affected Greece in 2019, resulting in several deaths?
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The Greek Heat Wave of 2019
What is the minimum duration of abnormally hot weather required to be classified as a heat wave?
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Two days
What is the name of the heat wave that affected Australia in 2019-2020, causing widespread bushfires and wildlife losses?
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The Australian Bushfire Heat Wave of 2019-2020
During a heat wave, what type of energy demand typically increases significantly?
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Electricity
What is the name of the heat wave that affected the United States in 2012, resulting in over 80 deaths?
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The North American Heat Wave of 2012
What is the name of the heat wave that affected France in 2019, resulting in several deaths?
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The French Heat Wave of 2019
What is the most effective way to prevent heat-related illnesses during a heat wave?
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Stay in air-conditioned spaces
Which US city experienced a deadly heat wave in 1995 that resulted in over 700 deaths?
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Chicago
What type of wind is associated with heat waves in Southern California?
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Santa Ana winds
What climate classification is characterized by frequent and severe heat waves?
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Desert
What temperature range defines a heat wave?
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Usually at least 3 consecutive days with temperatures above 90°F (32°C)
What is the term for the boundary between two air masses with different temperatures during a heat wave?
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Thermal boundary
What is the name of the heat wave that affected South Korea in 2018, resulting in several deaths?
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The Korean Heat Wave of 2018
Which ocean current is responsible for bringing warm water and contributing to heat waves in Western Europe?
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Gulf Stream
What is the term for a heat wave that lasts for an unusually long period of time?
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Persistent heat wave
Which of the following is not a recommended action during a heat wave?
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Taking cold showers frequently
What phenomenon can exacerbate the effects of a heat wave by trapping pollutants near the ground?
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Temperature inversion
What are some health risks associated with heat waves?
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Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke
Which of these health conditions is not directly related to heat waves?
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Hypothermia
What is a heat wave?
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A prolonged period of excessively hot weather
What is the primary cause of heat waves?
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High pressure systems
What is the term for a heat wave that occurs early in the summer season?
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Spring heat wave
What is the name of the index used to measure the risk level associated with heat waves?
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Heat Index
What meteorological instrument is used to measure the intensity of sunlight during a heat wave?
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Pyranometer
Which continent has experienced the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth?
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Antarctica
What is the term for a heat wave that occurs late in the summer season?
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Indian summer
What is the term for the cooling effect caused by evaporation of sweat during a heat wave?