Millions of Americans should brace for an abnormal change in weather this summer after record temperatures hit the country last year.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted that it will be sweltering in almost every state; In some places there is a 70 percent chance of above-average temperatures in the next three months.
States in the western part of the country will be hit the hardest, impacting Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Colorado, which will reach a record high of 60 to 70 percent above average from July through September.
Scientists attribute this change to a weather pattern called La Niña, which causes wind patterns to change, making some areas warmer than normal in the summer.
Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Colorado will reach record high temperatures of 60 to 70 percent above average from July through September
This forecast reflects the switch from the El Niño weather pattern, which warms the ocean surface, to La Niña, which then cools the surface, making overall weather conditions drier and warmer.
La Niña usually occurs every three to five years, but can also occur over several consecutive years.
This summer’s heatwaves are expected to shatter last year’s record, with temperatures soaring to the highest in more than 2,000 years.
Temperatures in states in the Northeast and stretching from Idaho to Texas will be about 50 to 60 percent above average.
Meanwhile, states in the Southeast and parts of the Midwest, including Oklahoma, Florida, Virginia and Michigan, will see temperatures rise 40 to 50 percent.
The only exceptions to the abnormal weather are North and South Dakota and parts of Minnesota and Iowa, which have an equal chance of being on par with average temperatures for this time of year or of seeing temperatures above or below average to have.
“A common feature in the summer during a developing La Niña is a semi-permanent ridge over central North America,” says DTN, a Minneapolis-based forecasting company. reported.
The ridges are called heat domes that trap hot ocean air, causing intense heat waves and record high temperatures.
This summer’s heatwaves are expected to break last year’s record, which saw temperatures rise to their highest levels in more than 2,000 years. Temperatures in states in the Northeast and stretching from Idaho to Texas will be about 50 to 60 percent above average
Global temperatures have been rising steadily since the early 2000s, driven primarily by climate change, which has increased temperatures in the U.S. by 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
The CDC reported that there are steps you can take to protect yourself from heat-related illnesses, including staying hydrated as much as possible and staying in air-conditioned spaces
Climate change may also contribute to the temperature increase that has been steadily increasing since the early 2000s.
A 2023 study reported that these record heat waves would have been ‘virtually impossible… if humans had not warmed the planet by burning fossil fuels.’
Climate change has caused temperatures in North America to rise 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit since 1850.
Researchers from the Grantham Institute in London and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center in the Netherlands warned that if fossil fuel production is not curbed immediately, similar heat waves will continue to occur in the US every two to five years. Axios reported.
These higher-than-average temperatures raise public health concerns and heat-related fatalities, as well as a higher risk of hurricanes, droughts and wildfires.
A major concern is that the U.S. power grid is not equipped to handle the skyrocketing demand for electricity that comes with high temperatures and humidity as Americans turn to air conditioning to combat the heat.
The electric grid was built in the 1960s and 1970s to manage two-thirds of America’s electricity, but has not adapted to modern electricity needs, making it vulnerable to extreme weather events.
In the worst case, the electricity grid could lead to power outages across the country, which could be fatal, the Union of Concerned Scientists.
There are an estimated 1,300 deaths from extreme heat in the US each year Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that this number is likely higher because some may not be directly related to the warm weather.
The EPA said the stress of a hot day can cause heat-related deaths by increasing the chance of a heart attack or other respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported There are steps you can take to protect yourself from heat-related illnesses, including staying hydrated as much as possible and staying in air-conditioned spaces.
If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, the CDC recommends going to a public place like a mall or library to cool down.
The agency also suggests using your stove and oven less to keep the temperature in your home cooler, taking a cool bath or shower if you get too hot and calling your local health department to see if any heat collection shelters have been set up in the area. .