Energy and Environment Blog

🌀 Katrina. Harvey. Irma. Maria. Sandy. 
These aren’t just names; they mark some of the most powerful and devastating hurricanes in U.S. history. 

Hurricanes began receiving official names in the 1950s to improve communication and public safety, especially when multiple storms happened at once. 

Now, with climate change accelerating, heatwaves are emerging as another deadly threat—and they’re starting to be named too. 

🔥 In 2022, Seville, Spain, became the first city in the world to name and categorize heatwaves. Heatwave Zoe was the first to be named under Project proMETEO, a pilot initiative designed to raise awareness and save lives as extreme heat becomes the new normal. 

Seville has faced repeated heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures soaring to 44–45°C (111–113°F). Nestled inland in a valley, the city traps heat—worsened by the urban heat island effect from concrete surfaces and limited green space. 

💬 What other cities have you seen suffering the worst of these extreme heat events? 

#Hurricanes #Heatwaves #HeatwaveZoe #ClimateChange

References: 

1. https://prometeo-project.eu/  
2. https://time.com/6200153/first-named-heat-wave-zoe-seville/ 
3.  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames_history.shtml