Climate Change News: US Suffers Through Hottest Summer Since 1936 Dust Bowl
The U.S. has experienced the hottest summer this year since the Dust Bowl of 1936, according to a new report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The average temperature in June, July, and August was 2.6 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th-century average, according to the report. Several states such as California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and Idaho all experienced their hottest temperatures on record and 16 states reported 2021 was in their top-five warmest summers.
No states reported temperatures that fell below average.
The news comes after NOAA released a report saying that the average global temperature reached an all-time high in July.
According to CNN, scientists reported in August that global temperatures are increasing faster than previously thought and time is running out for society to cut its reliance on fossil fuels in order to avoid a climate change catastrophe.
The increase in temperature has caused disastrous events such as heatwaves and wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, as well as droughts, and flooding in other areas of the country and the world.
“Air quality remained a concern across the U.S. as ash and fine particulates from the many wildfires obscured the skies," the report read.
"In this case, first place is the worst place to be," said NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad.
"July is typically the world’s warmest month of the year, but July 2021 outdid itself as the hottest July and month ever recorded. This new record adds to the disturbing and disruptive path that climate change has set for the globe," Spinrad said.
In addition to the extreme heat, this summer also had an average national precipitation of 9.48 inches -- 1.16 inches above average, the report showed. This resulted in deadly flooding with billions of dollars in damage done to the Gulf and East coasts.
According to NOAA, this August was the deadliest month for flooding in the U.S. since 2017.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.