Zoe, Xenia, Cleon, and Cerberus are names that have been associated with recent heat waves. These names, however, do not belong to individuals, but rather represent the heat waves that have been occurring around the world. Cerberus, for instance, is the name given to the heat wave currently affecting southern Europe. In Greek mythology, Cerberus is a fierce three-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld.
Several European countries have experienced scorching temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in the past few days. Similar dangerous temperatures were also observed last summer, leading to the first naming of a heat wave, “Zoe,” in Seville, Spain. Seville implemented a ranking and naming system for heat waves last year, dividing them into three tiers based on their impact on human health. This system allows the city to respond accordingly, such as opening air-conditioned shelters or boosting staff in emergency rooms. The names of heat waves are chosen in reverse alphabetical order and have a Spanish-sounding quality. Following Zoe, the highest tier heat waves are named Yago, Xenia, Wenceslao, and Vega.
Seville proudly claims to be the first city in the world to develop and implement such a heat wave naming and categorization system. Mayor Juan Espadas emphasized the system’s aim of saving lives and encouraged other cities to adopt similar measures. The city argues that having a naming convention for extreme heat allows these weather events to receive the same level of attention and treatment as hurricanes and tropical storms do in many parts of the world.
According to proMETEO Sevilla, the organization behind the naming and classification system, heat waves have the most significant impact on people’s lives compared to other meteorological phenomena. By categorizing and naming heat waves based on their risk levels, people can take appropriate measures to protect themselves. The project sees this system as the first step for administrations to work on resilience to heat waves and minimize their impact on people’s daily lives and strategic sectors for the economy.
In contrast, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stated last year that they do not have plans to name heat waves. While they acknowledge the importance of naming dangerous weather events like tropical storms, they believe that caution should be exercised when applying protocols or lessons from one hazard type to another. Heat waves have different characteristics and impacts compared to storms, making direct comparisons or translations of protocols challenging. The WMO emphasizes the need for public awareness on actions to take during extreme heat events and the recognition of personal vulnerability factors that can contribute to heat-related illnesses.
A study published in Nature Medicine estimated that nearly 62,000 people in Europe died as a result of extreme heat last year. The heatwave also had effects beyond Europe, reaching Britain with warnings of record temperatures and triggering wildfires in France. Spain experienced fatal blazes, with the country’s prime minister connecting them to climate change and its deadly consequences.
Overall, while naming heat waves can aid in raising awareness and promoting preparedness, organizations like the WMO approach the issue with caution due to the unique nature of heat waves and their impacts.