Heat blankets Middle East as 'feels like' temperature reaches 74 degrees
An unusual "heat dome" has fallen on the Middle East to create "feels-like" temperatures as high as 74 degrees.
The people of Iraq were given a four-day holiday last week after the government declared soaring temperatures too much to deal with.
Authorities in the Middle East cautioned residents to drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun.
Synoptic reports from Baghdad, Iraq indicate that temp hit 51C (123.8F) on 30 July, tying all-time record high. pic.twitter.com/wPJlTmRgBV
— Anthony Sagliani (@anthonywx) July 31, 2015
In the Iranian port city of Bandar-e Mahshahr recorded an extreme feels-like temperature of 74 degrees on Friday based on a calculated heat index, Fairfax reports.
The formula combined the actual air temperature that peaked at 46 degrees with the highest humidity – or dew point – temperature reading that topped 32 degrees.
A dew point exceeding 26 degrees is said to be oppressive on the human body as it struggles to deal with the heat through perspiration.
Synoptic reports from Baghdad, Iraq indicate that temp hit 51C (123.8F) on 30 July, tying all-time record high. pic.twitter.com/wPJlTmRgBV
— Anthony Sagliani (@anthonywx) July 31, 2015
"That was one of the most incredible temperature observations I have ever seen, and it is one of the most extreme readings ever in the world," said AccuWeather meteorologist Anthony Sagliani in a statement.
Sagaliani pointed to a high-pressure system that has cloaked the region since July for the heat surge, making one of the world's hottest places even hotter.
The heat dome is a high pressure ridge over the region which makes normal hot temperatures seem even hotter.
The UK's TelegraphThe Telegraph reports that the "heat index" - a measurement of what weather feels like - is the highest ever recorded.
The scientists monitoring the heat index say Iran may well be having among the hottest temperatures ever experienced by humans.
It has been warm across the globe with the north-west US and eastern Pacific starting to feel the effects of El Nino in recent weeks following the deaths of hundreds in May's heat wave across South Asia.
Meanwhile Australia has since an unusually early start to bushfire season with one blaze in the Blue Mountains being fought into its forth day only two weeks after the mountains were blanketed in snow.
Northern Australia also had record-breaking July with Gympie noting its hottest July day since records began in 1908 with the temperature reaching 29.4 degrees, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
