Meteorological data revealed that average temperatures from June through August in 2024 exceeded the 1991 to 2020 baseline by 1.76 degrees Celsius. This matches last year's data, which was the highest since modern meteorological records began in 1898.
The assessment is based on readings from a network of 15 carefully selected observation sites across the country.
The number of days with temperatures surpassing 35 degrees Celsius, classified as "extreme heat" by authorities, reached an unprecedented 8,821 instances. This figure substantially surpasses the previous high of 6,692 recorded in 2023.
Several locations experienced temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius during this period. Notably, the city of Sano in Tochigi Prefecture registered 41.0 degrees Celsius on July 29, placing it among the highest temperatures ever documented in the nation.
As the unseasonable warmth is forecast to persist into September, health officials are advising citizens to remain vigilant against heat-related illnesses and to utilize cooling systems when necessary.
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