2024 Expected to Be Hottest Year on Record

In a recent climate report, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that July 2024 was the hottest July on record globally, with temperatures approximately 1.2°C (2.1°F) above average. This marks the 15th consecutive month of record-high temperatures, with nearly 13.8% of the Earth's surface experiencing unprecedented heat. Notably, 19.2% of the global land surface recorded these extreme temperatures, while the U.S. saw its 11th warmest July in history, with California and New Hampshire reporting their hottest July on record. The NOAA report also indicated a 77% likelihood that 2024 will be the hottest year on record, with nearly a 100% chance of it being among the top five hottest years. Despite the overall warming trend, some regions, particularly in the Midwest and Plains, experienced cooler-than-average temperatures. As of mid-August, over 22% of the contiguous United States was in drought, with conditions expected to worsen in the West due to ongoing wildfires. Climate scientists attribute the rising temperatures to the ongoing climate crisis driven by fossil fuel emissions. They emphasize the urgent need for action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate further warming. Additionally, NOAA forecasts an active Atlantic hurricane season, with expectations of above-average precipitation along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast through November, as the potential for a La Niña weather pattern looms, which could influence future climate conditions.