Heatwaves: how hot can it get?

A heatwave is when it gets super hot for a long time, like a sunny day that won’t end.

Imagine you're outside on the playground, and the sun is shining really strongly, it feels like your shirt is on fire! Now imagine this happens every day for weeks. That's what a heatwave feels like.

The sun is like a giant lamp in the sky that shines down on Earth. During a heatwave, the sun stays strong, and the air doesn’t get a chance to cool down at night, it’s like your room doesn't get any time to stop being warm after you turn off the heater.

Sometimes the temperature goes as high as 45°C! That's like putting your hand in a toaster and leaving it there for a long time. Your ice cream would melt instantly, and even your shadow would feel hot.

So next time you're playing outside during a heatwave, remember, it’s just the sun being extra strong and not letting go!