2024 North America heat waves

Last updated

2024 North America heat waves
AreasMexico, United States, Central America
Start date17 March 2024
Peak temp. 53.9 °C (129.0 °F), recordedat Furnace Creek, Death Valley, Californiaon 7 July 2024
Losses
Deaths1161+
1006+ (United States)
155+ (Mexico)
Injuries2,567+ (Mexico)

Beginning in March 2024, severe heat waves impacted Mexico, the Southern and Western United States, and Central America, leading to dozens of broken temperature records, [1] mass deaths of animals from several threatened species, water shortages requiring rationing, [2] increased forest fires, and over 155 deaths in Mexico with 2,567 people suffering from heat-related ailments. [3] Another 173 people were killed in the United States. [4]

Contents

Mexico

The hot season in Mexico began on 17 March 2024. [5] In May 2024, a heat dome formed over the Southern Gulf of Mexico and over Mexico, which led to record high temperatures being recorded in 10 cities in Mexico. [1] Mexico City recorded a record high temperature of 34.7 °C (94.46 °F) on 25 May 2024. [2] San Juan Bautista Valle Nacional recorded a temperature of 48 °C (118.4 °F) on 26 May 2024, the highest recorded temperature in the state of Oaxaca. [6] The persistently high temperatures combined with seasonally lighter rainfall in the area led to increased risks of future water shortages, as well as power blackouts in part due to lowered water levels leading to decreased energy production from hydroelectric dams. [2] At least 155 deaths due to heat were reported, with 2,567 people suffering from heat-related ailments including heat stroke and dehydration. [3]

At least 157 howler monkeys in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas died due to the prolonged excessive heat and resulting dehydration. [1] At least 100 parrots, toucans, bats, and other animals housed in the Selva Teenek eco-park in the state of San Luis Potosí also succumbed to dehydration.

According to preliminary data published by Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, on 20 June 2024, the town of Tepache, Sonora, tied the record for the highest temperature measured in the country since the registers began, achieving 52 °C (125.6 °F), and tying the previous record set in 1995 on Mexicali, Baja California. [7] [8]

United States

Southern Texas was struck with a heatwave starting on May 25 2024, leading to numerous record breaking high temperatures recorded on 26 May 2024 in Del Rio at 112 °F (44.4 °C), Brownsville at 98 °F (36.7 °C) tied with the prior record set in 1928, and McAllen at 103 °F (39.4 °C). [9]

On June 18, excessive heat caused rail delays on trains in New Jersey and New York City. [10] On June 19, Caribou, Maine tied their all time highest temperature at 96 °F (36 °C). [11] Portions of northeastern Maine had their first ever excessive heat warning on record. [12] Cooling centers were opened at Boston University, as well as cities such as New York City and Philadelphia. [13] Daily record highs on June 19 were broken in Boston and Hartford, Connecticut. [14] The heat began to shift south over the coming days. On June 22, Washington DC crossed the century mark for the first time since 2016, ending the fifth longest streak on record for the city. [15]

On July 5, Palm Springs, California reached 124 °F (51 °C), breaking the record for the city's highest temperature. [16] On July 6, Redding, California saw 119 °F (48.3 °C) temperatures, breaking its all-time record. [17] That day, it was reported that Phoenix, Arizona had seen 13 heat-related deaths in 2024, with 160 more unconfirmed. [4] On July 7, Las Vegas, Nevada broke its all-time temperature record, with the city seeing 120 °F (49 °C) temperatures. [18] [19] The city would go on to record three more days of temperatures above the pre-2024 record of 117 °F (47.2 °C). [20]

On July 8, the Third Avenue Bridge stopped working and was closed down due to the heat; temperatures in New York City that day were 95 °F (35 °C). [21] On July 16, the New Jersey Transit experienced delays due to the heat. [22] That day, Washington DC hit 104 °F (40 °C), the highest temperature there since 2012, and was the first time since the Dust Bowl temperatures exceeded the century mark for three days. [23] A record breaking fourth day would occur on July 17, with temperatures of 101 °F (38 °C). [24] A record high temperature was also tied in Hartford. [25]

July 2024 was the hottest calendar month on record in many cities across the western United States, including Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Fresno, Redding, Salem, and San Jose. [26]

On August 27, several cities in Illinois and Indiana set heat records. [27] On August 28, the heat spread east, resulting in record highs being set in Washington DC and Columbus, Ohio. [28] [29] Nashville exceeded 100 °F (38 °C) for three days in a row, culminating in a record high on August 29. [30]

By 27 September, 664 deaths in Phoenix and 342 in Las Vegas were linked to heat illnesses caused by prolonged triple-digit temperatures, beating the 2023 record of heatwave deaths in Las Vegas. [31]

Central America

In Guatemala, outdoor activities were suspended in Guatemala City schools due to the increased risk of heat stroke. [32]

In Honduras, Northern regions including San Pedro Sula had blackouts caused by transformer failures due to the increased prolonged heat. [33]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heat wave</span> Prolonged period of excessively hot weather

A heat wave or heatwave, sometimes described as extreme heat, is a period of abnormally hot weather. Definitions vary but are similar. A heat wave is usually measured relative to the usual climate in the area and to normal temperatures for the season. Temperatures that humans from a hotter climate consider normal, can be regarded as a heat wave in a cooler area. This would be the case if the warm temperatures are outside the normal climate pattern for that area. High humidity often occurs during heat waves as well. This is especially the case in oceanic climate countries. Heat waves have become more frequent, and more intense over land, across almost every area on Earth since the 1950s, the increase in frequency and duration being caused by climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Northern Hemisphere heat waves</span> Summer heat waves

The 2010 Northern Hemisphere summer heat waves included severe heat waves that impacted most of the United States, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, Hong Kong, North Africa and the European continent as a whole, along with parts of Canada, Russia, Indochina, South Korea and Japan during July 29, 2010. The first phase of the global heatwaves was caused by a moderate El Niño event, which lasted from June 2009 to May 2010. This lasted only from April 2010 to June 2010 and caused only moderate above-average temperatures in the affected regions, but it also set new record high temperatures for most of the area affected in the Northern Hemisphere.

The 2011 North American heat wave was a deadly summer 2011 heat wave that affected the Southern Plains, the Midwestern United States, Eastern Canada, the Northeastern United States, and much of the Eastern Seaboard, and had Heat index/Humidex readings reaching upwards of 131 °F (55 °C). On a national basis, the heat wave was the hottest in 75 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 North American heat wave</span> Weather event in North America

The Summer 2012 North American heat wave was one of the most severe heat waves in modern North American history. It resulted in more than 82 heat-related deaths across the United States and Canada, and an additional twenty-two people died in the resultant June 2012 North American derecho. This long-lived, straight-line wind and its thunderstorms cut electrical power to 3.7 million customers. Over 500,000 were still without power on July 6, as the heat wave continued. Temperatures generally decreased somewhat the week of July 9 in the east, but the high pressure shifted to the west, causing the core of the hot weather to build in the Mountain States and the Southwestern United States shifting eastwards again by mid-July. By early August, the core of the heat remained over the Southern Plains.

The 2013 heatwave in the United Kingdom and Ireland was a period of unusually hot weather primarily in July 2013, with isolated warm days in June and August. A prolonged high pressure system over Great Britain and Ireland caused higher than average temperatures for 19 consecutive days in July, reaching 33.5 °C (92.3 °F) at Heathrow and Northolt.

In May 2015, India was struck by a severe heat wave. As of 3 June 2015, it caused the deaths of at least 2,500 people in multiple regions. The heat wave occurred during the Indian dry season, which typically lasts from March to July with peak temperatures in April and May. Although it typically remains hot until late October, Indian monsoons often provide some respite from the heat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 British Isles heatwave</span> Period of unusually hot weather in the summer of 2018

The 2018 Britain and Ireland heatwave was a period of unusually hot weather that took place in June, July and August. It caused widespread drought, hosepipe bans, crop failures, and a number of wildfires. These wildfires worst affected northern moorland areas around the Greater Manchester region, the largest was at Saddleworth Moor and another was at Winter Hill, together these burned over 14 square miles (36 km2) of land over a period of nearly a month.

The 2018 North American heat wave affected regions of Canada, where at least 70 deaths in Quebec were heat-related, the United States, where 18 states between Michigan and New Mexico issued heat advisories to a population of over 60 million people, and of Mexico, particularly the northwest and central regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 European heatwaves</span> European heat wave in 2019

In late June and late July 2019 there were two temporally distinct European heat waves, which set all-time high temperature records in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Western North America heat wave</span> 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada

The 2021 Western North America heat wave was an extreme heat wave that affected much of Western North America from late June through mid-July 2021. The heat wave affected Northern California, Idaho, Western Nevada, Oregon, and Washington in the United States, as well as British Columbia, and in its latter phase, Alberta, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, all in Canada. It also affected inland regions of Central and Southern California, Nevada, and Montana, though the temperature anomalies were not as extreme as in the regions farther north.

The 2021 Britain and Ireland heat wave was a period of unusually hot weather in July 2021 that led to record-breaking temperatures in the UK and Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 heat waves</span> Hotter than normal periods in 2022

In 2022, several areas of the world experienced heat waves. Heat waves were especially notable in East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Australia, western Europe, the United States, and southern South America. 2022 heat waves accounted for record-breaking temperatures and, in some regions, heat-related deaths. Heat waves were worsened by the effects of climate change, and they exacerbated droughts and wildfires.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Japan heat wave</span>

The 2022 Japan heatwave was a heatwave that affected many prefectures. Temperatures peaked at 40.2 °C (104.4 °F) in Isesaki, Gunma Prefecture. 15,657 people were taken to hospital emergency departments, 5,261 of whom were admitted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 European heatwaves</span> Heat waves affecting Europe in 2022

From June to August 2022, persistent heatwaves affected parts of Europe, causing evacuations and killing tens of thousands. These heat waves were the deadliest meteorological events in 2022. The highest temperature recorded was 47.0 °C (116.6 °F) in Pinhão, Portugal, on 14 July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 North American heat waves</span> Heat wave affecting North America

From late spring to late summer heat waves in 2022 smashed many records in North America between May and September of that year. Dozens of temperature records were surpassed in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Western North America heat wave</span>

Starting in May 2023, a heat wave affected Western North America. The heat wave entailed wildfires in Alberta, record temperatures across Canada and the US, and over 100 deaths in Mexico. The heat also accelerated snow melt in mountain ranges, causing flooding and mudslides. According to scientists, climate change increased the strength of the 2023 heatwaves including in North America.

Since May 2024, a severe and long heat wave has impacted India. The heat wave occurred during the Indian dry season, which typically lasts from March to July with peak temperatures in April and May. Rajasthan's Churu recorded 50.5 °C (122.9 °F), which was the highest temperature in India in eight years.

Europe has been affected by heat waves since June 2024, breaking several regional temperature records across multiple nations in Southern and Southeast Europe.

In 2024, Japan experienced excessive heat beginning in April, which led to at least 59 heat-related deaths and at least 62 temperature observation posts across Japan breaking temperature records in July. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the average temperatures reached during the heat waves represented the hottest for Japan in April and July since its record-keeping began in 1898.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Over 150 monkey deaths now linked to heat wave in Mexico: "There are going to be a lot of casualties" - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2024-05-28. Archived from the original on 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  2. 1 2 3 "Photos: Submerged homes and heatwaves fuel Mexico climate angst". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  3. 1 2 "Heatwave in Mexico claims lives of more than 150 since March". France 24 . 21 June 2024. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  4. 1 2 "More records expected to shatter as long-running blanket of heat threatens 130 million in U.S." Associated Press . 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  5. ↑ "Mexico heat wave melts temperature records in 10 cities, including Mexico City". NBC News. 2024-05-11. Archived from the original on 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  6. ↑ Livingston, Ian (28 May 2024). "What to know about the brutal heat dome shifting from Mexico into the U.S." The Washington Post.
  7. ↑ Iris Velazquez (22 June 2024). "Llega Sonora a 52 °C; rompe récord de temperatura en México" (in Spanish). Reforma . Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  8. ↑ "Temperatura máxima diaria (°C) del 20 de julio de 2024" (in Spanish). Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  9. ↑ Bushard, Brian. "New Heat Records Set In Florida And Texas: Here Are The Big Memorial Day Weekend Records". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  10. ↑ Can the extreme heat impact your commuter train? You bet., NJ.com, June 18, 2024
  11. ↑ Caribou, Maine ties all time record high temperature, News Center Maine, June 19, 2024
  12. ↑ This part of the US is about to endure heat it has never felt before, Fox Weather, June 18, 2024
  13. ↑ Historic heat wave continues to roast Northeast: 99 million Americans under heat alerts, Fox Weather, June 19, 2024
  14. ↑ A Blast of Heat in the East, Earth Observatory, June 19, 2024
  15. ↑ Washington hits 100 degrees for the first time in almost eight years, Washington Post, June 22, 2024
  16. ↑ "This sizzling California city just recorded its all-time hottest temperature". July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  17. ↑ McCoy, Sara (2024-07-06). "New all-time high temperature record set for Redding". KRCR. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  18. ↑ Emerson, Elaine (2024-07-07). "Las Vegas hits 120 degrees, hottest day on record". Fox 5 Vegas. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  19. ↑ Toohey, Grace; Blakinger, Keri (2024-07-09). "Temperature records shattered across the West as intense heat wave drags on". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  20. ↑ Gilbert, Nouran Salahieh, Mary (2024-07-13). "Las Vegas sees record-breaking 7 consecutive days of scorching temperatures 115 degrees or higher". CNN. Retrieved 2024-07-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ It's so hot that an NYC bridge literally stopped working, NBC New York, July 8, 2024
  22. ↑ Extreme heat causes rail disruptions for NJ Transit, as NYC subway lines deal with power issues, NBC New York, July 16, 2024
  23. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024/07/16/dc-heat-100-record-high-temperatures/
  24. ↑ DC region endures third hottest 'heat wave' in history, WJLA, July 18, 2024
  25. ↑ Northern part of CT under storm watch after day of record-high temps, forecasters say, CTInsider, July 16, 2024
  26. ↑ "xmACIS2". xmacis.rcc-acis.org. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  27. ↑ Map Shows 2 States Break Heat Records Amid Soaring Temperatures, Newsweek, August 28, 2024
  28. ↑ Late-season heat wave sets new temperature records in DC, ABC7, August 28, 2024
  29. ↑ Columbus ties 76-year-old record high temperature for August 28, Columbus Dispatch, August 28, 2024
  30. ↑ Record heat: Nashville breaks temperature record set 127 years ago, WKRN, August 30, 2024
  31. ↑ Canon, Gabrielle (2024-09-27). "Grim new death records amid brutal heat plaguing south-west US". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  32. ↑ "'Heat dome' behind extreme heat in Mexico, Central America and US". euronews. 2024-05-24. Archived from the original on 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  33. ↑ "Prolonged Drought and Heatwaves Affect Honduras' Power Supply". The Tico Times. 2024-05-19. Archived from the original on 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
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