Without a doubt, the data consistently confirms that 2024 goes down in history as Earth’s hottest year ever recorded, surpassing the previous record set in 2023. However, mere temperatures fail to capture the true impact: oppressive humidity challenging our body’s cooling mechanisms, sleepless nights due to high nighttime temperatures, power failures, smoke from wildfires, destroyed crops, and a surge in mosquito-borne illnesses. The toll on humanity is undeniable.
Different regions across the globe have their own tales of how extreme heat in 2024 affected them. Let’s explore some of these narratives.
The capital of Arizona endured an astonishing 113 consecutive days with daytime temperatures exceeding 100°F, resulting in numerous heat-related fatalities. Phoenix stands out for having one of the most significant urban heat island effects globally: city temperatures are approximately 12 degrees higher than those in rural surroundings.
An intense heatwave compounded by a prolonged drought led to power outages and was linked to over 120 deaths. The ensuing water scarcity sparked concerns that North America’s largest city was perilously close to Day Zero – a hypothetical day when water reserves would be depleted.
2024-12-05 13:00:00
Originally published on www.sciencenews.org