Record heat has shocked western North America, but climate scientists are not surprised.

"The fact that heat waves are getting warmer is completely in line with what we expect," says meteorology professor Gunilla Svensson.

On Tuesday, the highest temperature in Canadian history was recorded when a weather station outside Vancouver measured 49.5 degrees. In Portland, USA, about 500 miles to the south, the thermometer showed 46.7 degrees.

Extreme heat at such northern latitudes is unusual, but not really unexpected, according to Gunilla Svensson, professor of meteorology at Stockholm University.

"We can't say that climate change is behind a single event, but as the climate gets warmer, maximum temperatures also get higher. The fact that heat waves are getting warmer is completely in line with what we expect," she says.

Source: TT