US records hottest month ever as July heat shatters 132-year-old record
The record came after weeks of intense heatwaves, prolonged periods of extreme temperatures and widespread wildfires. Heat domes push temperatures to record levels Heat takes
The record came after weeks of intense heatwaves, prolonged periods of extreme temperatures and widespread wildfires. Heat domes push temperatures to record levels Heat takes toll on daily life The United States has recorded its hottest month in more than a century of official temperature records. Julyâs average temperature was 76.89F (24.94C) across the Lower 48 states, according to the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Lower 48 refers to all US states except Alaska and Hawaii.The average was 3.3F (1.8C) above the 20th-century average and narrowly surpassed the previous record set in July 1936, when severe drought and extreme heat devastated large parts of the country.The record came after weeks of intense heatwaves, prolonged periods of extreme temperatures and widespread wildfires.
Scientists say the severity of the heat is consistent with the effects of human-driven climate change, which is making extreme heat more frequent, longer-lasting and more intense.Three major heat dome events developed across the US during July, trapping hot air over large areas beneath slow-moving high-pressure systems. Extreme heat affected the West, Rockies, Upper Midwest, Gulf Coast and Southeast, with temperatures remaining well above normal for prolonged periods.Every state in the Lower 48 recorded a July average at least 1F (0.6C) above its 20th-century average, NOAA said.Wyoming experienced its hottest July on record, as well as its hottest month ever recorded, with average temperatures 5.1F above normal.The biggest factor behind the national record was unusually warm nights.
The average minimum temperature across the Lower 48 exceeded the previous record by 0.7F. Scientists say rising overnight temperatures are particularly dangerous because they prevent the human body from recovering from daytime heat.âIf youâre talking heat waves, that nighttime low is incredibly important for determining total heat stress,â said Jeff Masters, a meteorologist with Yale Climate Connections. âSo if it doesnât cool off at night, your body doesnât have time to readjust to all the heat.âThe heat was accompanied by widespread wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and Canada, with smoke affecting large parts of North America. Scientists have linked the growing frequency and intensity of extreme heat and wildfire conditions to the continued burning of coal, oil and gas.The extreme conditions also affected Americansâ everyday lives.
The BriefWire