Mother Nature’s record tracks set new highs for heat and climate disasters in July 2024 across the United States and even globally.
It’s no surprise to see repeated record-high temperatures across the Earth, coinciding with persistent global sea-surface temperatures that stretch through June 2023.
A step Global extreme heat analysis from Central climateHuman-driven climate change continues to be the culprit behind powerful heat waves thanks to activities like burning coal and deforestation. Around the world, between June 16 and June 24, more than 60% of the population was affected by extreme heat.
The Earth’s average temperature for the month of July was the highest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) The 175-year-book represents an increase of 2.18 degrees Fahrenheit (1.21 degrees Celsius) from the 20th century average of 60.4 degrees Fahrenheit (15.8 degrees Celsius). In the United States, July’s average temperature was 75.7 degrees Fahrenheit (24.3 degrees Celsius), the 11th warmest in 130 years. Nineteen states recorded their top 10 warmest months in July, with California and New Hampshire the warmest.
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Both US cities set July heat records. Las Vegas, Nevada, reached 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) on July 7 and Washington, DC, on July 17 marked the fourth straight day above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). Record for most consecutive days with such extreme heat.
As temperatures continue to rise in this way, it sets the stage for storm systems to become stronger and more likely. In fact, the warmer it is, the more water evaporates, fueling tropical systems that are already forming and intensifying in oceans with above-average sea surface temperatures. Additionally, higher temperatures lead to better drought conditions, which can create wildfires.
July’s extreme weather highlights include heat waves, a major hurricane and fast-moving wildfires across the western United States — each of which is driven Human-induced climate change. Storm Beryl made history A category 5 storm since July 1st Saffir-Simpson scales second on record for any July in the Atlantic Ocean. In California, a wildfire named the Thompson Fire forced the evacuation of more than 13,000 people near Oroville between July 2 and July 3, and on July 24, the Park Fire ignited and became the fourth largest in state history. 400,956 acres.
The number of Billion dollar weather and climate events This year has risen to 19, tying 2024 for second place, with 2023 the most occurring between January and the end of July. This year alone, have happened At least 149 lives were lost These events caused more than $49.6 billion in damages. NOAA records began in 1980, and since then, there have been 395 different climate and weather disasters, with a total cost of $2.770 trillion.