Summer 2024 has set new records, with this season being the hottest on record globally.
According to the European climate service Copernicus, the northern hemisphere’s summer months—June, July, and August—averaged a sweltering 16.8°C (62.24°F). This figure surpasses the previous record set last year by 0.03°C (0.05°F).
The heat continued unabated through August, matching last year’s record temperature of 16.82°C globally.
Although July fell short of breaking new records, the extreme heat of June ensured that this summer stands out as the hottest on record, surpassing both 2023 and previous years.
Phoenix faces relentless heatwaves, with over 100 days of 100°F weather this year alone.Records from around the world, including those from the mid-19th century, indicate that the past decade has been the hottest in recorded history.
This trend is linked to ongoing human-caused climate change, exacerbated by the recent El Niño event which has now subsided. Despite a forecasted La Niña—a temporary cooling phase in the central Pacific—the final months of 2024 are unlikely to reverse this year’s heatwave trend.
The intense heat has led to higher dew points, indicating significant humidity levels. This is not just a statistic but translates into severe weather impacts.
Cities like Phoenix have endured over 100 days of 100°F temperatures this year, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, and flooding.
Climate experts warn that these conditions are a direct consequence of climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels.
The extreme weather patterns—heatwaves, floods, wildfires—reflect a larger trend of increasing intensity and frequency, signaling that these conditions are likely to continue.