This Summer Heat Wave Is No Joke, As These 45 Terrifying Photos Show

Technically, the first heatwaves of 2025 were in Australia in January, since that's the peak summer month in the Southern Hemisphere. Temperatures were as high as 106°F (41°C) in some cities, and the government of Victoria state issued fire bans for most of the region.

Of course, sudden spikes in temperature feel terrible and disrupt our lives, but experts explain that the worst part of heatwaves is how long they last. For this year's heatwave in Australia, the temperature at night wouldn't drop below 77°F (25°C).

"Heatwaves are less about how high those peak temperatures are going to get and more about how long the really hot conditions are going to last," senior meteorologist at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Miriam Bradbury, explained to The Guardian.

In May, massive heatwaves hit the U.S. and Canada, and some parts of the two countries are experiencing extreme temperatures again currently. On August 7th, temperatures in Phoenix were at 118°F (47.7°C), setting a record for the highest ever August day in the history of California. Wildfires are also currently devastating the region, and evacuation orders are in place.

Canada is just coming out of its sweltering heatwave. The temperature in Ottawa has been above 86°F (30°C), although the humidity made it feel like 106°F (41°C). During the June heatwave, the temperatures were as high as 95°F (35.2°C), with the Humidex index reaching 114°F (46°C). It was the fourth time Environment Canada had to issue a warning for Ottawa this summer.

Europe has been weathered by heatwaves this summer too. In the Iberian peninsula, temperatures have risen above 104°F (40°C). In Southern France, temperatures in the high 30s °C have resulted in devastating droughts and even wildfires. A fire in Aude, Occitanie, started on August 5th, and grew to the size of Paris within a few days. Greece and Turkey are experiencing wildfires as well.

Heatwaves are extremely dangerous to marine wildlife as well. During its January heatwaves, Australian researchers reported that tens of thousands of fish have perished off northwestern Australia. Ocean temperatures have been so high since September 2024, that by January it was classified as a severe marine heatwave. A similar heat event happened in 2010, when ocean temperatures rose 5°C above average. 

But the 2024/2025 marine heatwave in Western Australia was the worst and most devastating for reefs, as 1,500 km stretches of coral were bleached and destroyed. Scientists say that, as with heatwaves on land, these bleaching events are caused largely by global warming. 

"The key to helping coral reefs survive under climate change is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," marine scientists say. "Good management of local issues like water quality and overfishing and using interventions developed by marine science to help reefs will also assist."

But heat isn't just unpleasant; it can be downright life-threatening. In Australia alone, hot weather conditions have taken the lives of 300 people over the last decade, and 7,000 more have had to be hospitalized. Most were victims of heat exhaustion, which can affect people of all ages.