July’s extreme weather is just the start of a troubled summer for the Earth.

July’s extreme weather is just the start of a troubled summer for the Earth.

Earth’s Summer of Discontent: Unprecedented Heat, Flooding, and Wildfires

It’s been a summer like no other. Killer heatwaves, deadly floods, and record-breaking wildfires have plagued the Earth, leaving no relief in sight. According to forecast centers in America and Europe, August and September are expected to be hotter than normal. Climate scientists are witnessing unprecedented changes worldwide, with heat waves demolishing records left, right, and center. These extreme weather events are a dire reminder of the significant role climate change plays in our current experiences.

Record-Shattering Heatwave

June 2023 was the hottest June on record globally, and July followed suit, claiming the title of the hottest month ever recorded. But it’s the local impact that is truly devastating. In Phoenix, temperatures have consistently soared above 110 degrees (43 degrees Celsius) in July, setting records for the longest mega-heat streak and the longest stretch without temperatures dropping below 90 degrees (32 degrees Celsius) at night. El Paso, Texas, experienced 44 days of 100-degree heat, and schools in northern Mexico closed a month earlier than usual due to scorching temperatures reaching 113 degrees (45 Celsius). Miami faced the daunting combination of high heat and humidity, resulting in 46 consecutive days of feels-like temperatures over 100 degrees. Beijing also endured a record-breaking heat streak, with at least 27 days of 95 degrees (35 Celsius) in July. Even more alarming, the highest temperature ever recorded in China was set on July 16 in Sanbao township, reaching a scorching 126 degrees (52.2 Celsius). Southern Europe was not spared, as heat records tumbled in Italy, Greece, and Spain, causing nearly 1,000 excess deaths in Spain alone, mostly among the elderly.

Torrential Rainfall

In China’s central Hunan province, heavy rainfall triggered the collapse of at least 70 houses, leading to the evacuation of over 10,000 people. In Yichang, a landslide caused by the rain buried a construction site, resulting in the loss of at least one life. Australia’s Queensland outback experienced 13 times its normal monthly rainfall for July, and thousands were evacuated from Delhi, India, due to flash floods and landslides. In the United States, sudden heavy rain wreaked havoc in Vermont, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, tragically claiming lives, including that of children swept away in flooding.

Unrelenting Wildfires and Choking Smoke

Greece and Spain suffered from wildfires due to a lack of rain, making them difficult to contain. The Canary Islands witnessed the evacuation of 4,000 people, with firefighters battling the blaze. Israel faced about 160 wildfires as a result of hot and dry conditions in early June. However, the most alarming wildfires occurred in remote parts of Canada, unleashing smoke that caused cities like New York and Washington to experience the world’s dirtiest air before spreading to the Midwest. By late July, more than 600 wildfires were out of control in Canada, burning an area larger than the state of Pennsylvania or North Korea. These devastating wildfires serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its consequences.

Rising Ocean Temperatures

Water temperatures in the Florida Keys and off the Everglades soared into the high 90s (high 30s Celsius), with Manatee Bay even breaking surface water temperature records, potentially setting an unofficial world record. The North Atlantic also experienced hot spots that alarmed scientists. In June, the world’s oceans, on average, reached their highest temperatures on record, and by July, they continued to warm further. Consequently, Antarctica witnessed record-low levels of sea ice. These alarming trends suggest that the rest of the summer may not bring any relief from these extreme weather events.

• FirstEnergy scandal highlights risks of corporate political spendin...
• Housing Outlook Home Buyers Compete Over Slim Pickings
• Pirelli’s new board appointed amid dispute over Chinese influ...

A Forecast of Hotter Times Ahead

According to meteorologist Matt Rosencrans from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, above-normal temperatures are expected for the next three months. The only potential relief would be if a hurricane or tropical storm were to pass through the hot Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions. However, it’s important to note that the peak of hurricane season in September is still to come. In light of all the extreme weather events witnessed this summer, climate scientists like Michael Mann from the University of Pennsylvania question how we can continue to burn fossil fuels when faced with the consequences of climate change.

This summer has been a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need to address climate change. As the Earth grapples with unprecedented heatwaves, flooding, and wildfires, it’s clear that the time for action is now. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to cleaner, renewable energy sources, we can mitigate the severity of these extreme weather events and create a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.

Researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this report from New York.

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.