Global temperatures: Heat extremes vs daily averages

Recent record heat across the globe has led people to question whether heat extremes are warming more rapidly than average temperatures.

In the aftermath of intense heatwaves, an interesting question arose in trying to decipher the difference in heat extremes, in other words the annual maximum temperatures, and average daily high temperatures.

It has already been proven that warming is occurring more rapidly in extremes across the tropics, but what about in other parts of the world?

A comprehensive analysis by the World Climate Service has shown that whilst annual maximum temperatures have not risen everywhere on Earth, very large increases are evident in places such as western Europe, north-east China, parts of South America and Australia.

Western Europe stands out with the most prominent warming, accompanied by evidence that the Northern Hemisphere is warming 25% faster than the global average.