phoenix, usa, breaks historical record with 113 consecutive days of high temperatures exceeding 38 degrees celsius
2024-09-28
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phoenix, the hottest city in the united states, has had 113 consecutive days with temperatures above 100 degrees fahrenheit (38 degrees celsius) this year, breaking its previous record. the unprecedented heat wave resulted in hundreds of deaths from heat-related causes and a significant increase in wildfires across the state.
located in the sonoran desert, phoenix is the largest city with a population of 1.6 million. according to the national weather service (nws), this summer’s temperatures surpassed the 2023 record and set an all-time high by nearly two degrees higher. last week's 113-day heat record far surpassed phoenix's 1993 record of 76 consecutive days above 100°f.
"it's rare that we see, especially two record-breaking summers in a row," said matt salerno, a meteorologist with the national weather service's phoenix office.
extreme heat has serious consequences for public health. according to official data, 256 people have died from heat-related causes so far this year in maricopa county, where phoenix is located, and another 393 people are suspected to have died from the heat. last year, a record 645 people died from heat in the county.
"it is too early to predict the total number of deaths in 2024 compared to 2023," said naile leon, spokesperson for the maricopa county public health department. she pointed out that although the number of heat deaths and suspected deaths so far in 2024 is lower than in 2023, summer is not over yet. about half of those deaths were among homeless people, the county’s most vulnerable population.
deaths peak in july, when daily high temperatures in phoenix regularly reach 118°f. climate scientists attribute this trend to global warming caused by fossil fuel pollution. over the past five years, phoenix has had an average of 40 days a year with temperatures reaching or exceeding 110 degrees, up from about five days at the beginning of the last century, according to the arizona climate office.
extreme heat also increases wildfire activity across the state. the arizona climate office reports that wildfires will burn more acreage across the state in 2024 than last year. elena safire, director of the office, pointed to a climate-related combination of record winter precipitation and high summer temperatures as contributing factors to recent wildfires around los angeles.
phoenix’s ongoing heat wave and its devastating effects underscore the urgency of combating climate change and taking effective measures to protect vulnerable populations. as cities continue to deal with these extreme weather conditions, efforts to mitigate the effects of global warming and enhance public safety are particularly important.
look at the news reporters: fei wenrui and ren meixing
editor: fei wenrui
editor: zhang yiye
