July was hottest month ever recorded in US as heatwaves scorched country
Scientists have made clear that the elevated heat in the US was being amplified by the human-caused climate crisis July was the hottest month ever recorded in the US, with repeated, scorching heatwaves across much of the country helping shatter all previous monthly temperature records stretching back over the full 132 years of reliable measurements. Last month’s average temperature was 3.3F…
July marked the hottest month ever recorded in the United States, with repeated, intense heatwaves shattering all previous temperature records over the past 132 years of reliable measurements. The average temperature during July was 3.3°F (1.8°C) higher than the 20th century average for the contiguous United States, making it the hottest July and month in the nation's history.
Three separate heat dome events contributed to the extreme heat, with soaring temperatures trapped by slow-moving high-pressure weather systems. The heat was particularly severe in the US West, the Rockies, upper Midwest, Gulf of Mexico coast, and southeastern regions. Wyoming experienced its hottest July ever, with temperatures soaring 5.1°F above average.
The scorching temperatures were accompanied by wildfire smoke blanketing parts of the country, caused by large forest fires in Canada and the US Pacific Northwest. Scientists attribute the heightened heat and fires to the human-caused climate crisis, driven by the burning of fossil fuels and the release of heat-trapping gases. This extreme heat has had a significant impact on Americans' lives, affecting their electricity bills, travel plans, outdoor activities, and exercise routines.
Polling revealed that nearly half of Americans are experiencing a major increase in their electricity bills, while about 40% have altered their travel plans due to the heat. Around two-thirds of people reported that extreme heat affected their family's outdoor activities, and half said their exercise routines had been impacted. Despite these challenges, President Donald Trump continues to advocate for increased fossil fuel production and dismiss climate science as "bullshit" and a "con job."
Scientists predict that next year could potentially set the record for the hottest global temperature ever, driven by an unusually strong El Niño event.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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