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«IZVESTIYA IRKUTSKOGO GOSUDARSTVENNOGO UNIVERSITETA». SERIYA «NAUKI O ZEMLE»
«THE BULLETIN OF IRKUTSK STATE UNIVERSITY». SERIES «EARTH SCIENCES»
ISSN 2073-3402 (Print)

List of issues > Series «Earth Sciences». 2025. Vol 54

Changes in the Characteristics of Heat Waves in the Irkutsk Region

Author(s)

Е. А. Kochugova1, 2, G. F. Yakimova1

1 Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russian Federation

2 V. B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS, Irkutsk, Russian Federation

Abstract
The article is devoted to the study of changes in duration and recurrence of heat waves in Irkutsk region, which are a significant component of global climate change process. The authors conducted an extensive analysis of observations on maximum air temperature during summer seasons from 1960 to 2023. It was found that the average number of thermal periods with temperatures above 25 °C has increased in many regions of Irkutsk area. A particularly noticeable increase occurred over the last decade, especially notable were years such as 2017, 2019, and 2021, marked by record indicators for both duration and intensity of heat waves. The most intense rise in cases of anomalously high temperatures occurs at meteorological stations Zhegalovo and Chervyanka. Three phases have been identified in the evolution of heat wave characteristics. The first phase covers the beginning of observation period (the 1960s–1970s), characterized by growth in the number of heat waves; the second phase (late 1970s – early 1980s) features their decline in activity; while the third phase (started in late 1980s) sees stable increases in mean temperature along with prolonged hot spells. Episodes of abnormal heat occur most frequently in July, accounting for 51 % of total days with this phenomenon throughout the summer season. The most intensive heat waves took place in 2019, 2017, and 2015, having the greatest impact on population and ecology due to their long continuous durations.
About the Authors

Kochugova Elena Alexandrovna, Candidate of Science (Geography), Associate Professor of the Department of Meteorology and Physics of Near-Earth Space Irkutsk State University 1, K. Marx st., Irkutsk, 664003, Russian Federation Research Scientist, Laboratory of Hydrology and Climatology V. B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS 1, Ulan-Batorskaya st., Irkutsk, 664033, Russian Federation e-mail: kochugovae@mail.ru 

Yakimova Galina Fedorovna, Student, Geographical Faculty Irkutsk State University 1, K. Marx st., Irkutsk, 664003, Russian Federation e-mail: galinabarlukova1061@gmail.com

For citation
Kochugova E.A., Yakimova G.F. Changes in the Characteristics of Heat Waves in the Irkutsk Region. The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series Earth Sciences, 2025, vol. 54, pp. 118-131. https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3402.2025.54.118 (in Russian)
Keywords
heat waves, intensity, maximum air temperature, global warming, Irkutsk region.
UDC
551.524(571.53)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3402.2025.54.118
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