Heatwaves in Mozambique 1983–2016: Characteristics, trends and city-level summaries using high-resolution CHIRTS-daily

The intensity, frequency, and duration of heatwaves are increasing worldwide. Still, systematically underreported underresearched across the African continent. This study examines Mozambique, a country highly vulnerable to variety climate risks yet where have received little no attention. A spatio-temporal analysis was conducted for five heatwave characteristics (heatwave number, duration, amplitude, magnitude) corresponding trends from 1983 2016. done using remotely sensed CHIRTS-daily, which presents one most accurate highest resolution (5 × 5 km) daily temperature product currently available, especially data-scarce regions. Three definitions were analyzed compared, based on (1) 90th percentile maximum (TX90), (2) minimum (TN90), (3) Excess Heat Factor (EHF). Results overlayed with high-resolution population data obtain exposure likely potential implications. Our findings show that Mozambique has experienced many over past decades. On average, 2–18.6 annual days (HWF) recorded longest (HWD) lasting X- 11.5 days. More longer observed in North along coast Mozambique. Heatwave magnitude (HWM) ranged 0.3 6.8 °C amplitude (HWA) 0.8 11.7 °C, values South Central events, days, found be significantly (p < 0.05) populated regions, largely insignificant. total 13.6 million inhabitants (48% population) exposed significant increase people Zambezia, followed by Nampula Maputo province. City-level summaries Maputo, Beira, Nampula, Tete showed these cities been 50+ events since 1983. Overall, this is first analyze historical scale, both country- city-level urgently required awareness spur action reduce current future risk extreme heat.