US records hottest summer in 132 years of data

The United States has recorded its hottest summer since systematic weather tracking began, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The agency reported that the average temperature across the contiguous forty-eight states reached 23.6 degrees Celsius from June through August. This figure exceeds the twentieth-century average by 1.7 degrees and surpasses the previous record set in both 1936 and 2021.

August itself was the warmest month on record, averaging 24.2 degrees Celsius. NOAA notes that four of the five hottest summers in US history have occurred within the last five years. This acceleration aligns with broader global warming trends, which scientists attribute primarily to the continued combustion of fossil fuels.

Drought expands across central regions

The extreme heat was accompanied by significant drying conditions across much of the country. By early September, nearly 60 percent of the contiguous US was experiencing some level of drought, a sharp increase from the previous month. The situation deteriorated particularly in the Great Plains, Midwest, and South, where states like Texas and Oklahoma received less than 30 percent of their typical August rainfall.

However, conditions were not uniformly dry. While the central and southern regions faced arid weather, states such as Indiana and Ohio recorded their wettest August on record. These areas received approximately double their usual precipitation, highlighting the complex and variable nature of this summer's weather patterns.

El Nino may intensify further

Meteorologists warn that the current heatwave may not be the end of the climatic strain. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicates that the strengthening El Nino phenomenon could become one of the most intense on record. Celeste Saulo, the WMO chief, suggested the event might exceed the monitoring thresholds used for the past four decades if current trends continue.

Although El Nino is a natural climate pattern, experts state it can amplify temperatures on an already warming planet. The WMO warns that this event may lead to increased risks of extreme heat, drought, and flooding globally. In the US, NOAA expects September to remain warmer than average, with persistent drought and elevated wildfire risks in the Northwest, Midwest, and South.

Historical context of the 1936 record

The previous summer heat record from 1936 occurred during the height of the Dust Bowl. At that time, extreme heat and drought combined with damaging agricultural practices across the Great Plains to create severe environmental conditions. The current 2024 record marks a significant shift, as it breaks the 1936 and 2021 benchmarks amid a backdrop of modern industrial emissions.

Al Jazeera English reports that these developments underscore the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. As the US faces a warmer-than-usual September, attention turns to how prolonged heat and variable rainfall will impact agriculture, water resources, and emergency preparedness in the coming months.