Weather: the African Anticyclone Apocalypse4800 arrives. We explain why it is called that
Hot, indeed very hot, for many days until the end of the month, but probably also until August 15th, from 35 to 40 ° C from North to South for many consecutive days, never so many.
Neither the duration nor the temperature peaks of this African blaze are known exactly, but one thing is certain: the freezing point it will be exceptionally at 4800 metersthat is, the altitude at which zero degrees will be recorded will in fact only be on the top of the Mont Blanc (4809 meters), the glaciers of the summit of Europe and of all the Alps will be at risk of melting for many days in a row. In short, never so hot at high altitude.
In fact, once upon a time, in the summer the freezing level usually fluctuated around 3200/3500 meters. Above, it has always been cold: it is the altitude of perennial snows and glaciers.
Well, until about 10/15 years ago, climbing over 4000 meters was considered a very rare event and in any case of short duration (maximum one or two days), which is why the “damages” have always been limited.
However, something has broken at an atmospheric and climatic level: so much so that in the last 5 summers the average level has moved above 4000 meters: from a rare fact it has become almost normal. This, of course, has some impact in particular on the world of high altitude, where alpine glaciers are found. As unfortunately the recent news have highlighted (tragedy of the Marmolada), the increase in temperatures is destabilizing this delicate environment: in addition to the regression of the glacial fronts (about 40% of the glaciers have already disappeared compared to 50 years ago), now the concern of experts is shifting to the possibility of new collapses. We are losing one fundamental and precious water resource (all the more essential in these drought periods) which feeds our rivers as well as representing a wonder of nature.
Let’s think about it, now comes the African anticyclone called, in fact, Apocalisse4800.
In the video we can see an in-depth analysis of what is happening in the Alps and in particular the conditions of the glaciers (source: Lombard Glaciological Service).
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