National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports and news outlets

Climate Change Made Deadly Heatwave 35 Times More Likely in Hottest May on Record

Jun 20, 2024, 11:05 AM

A recent deadly heatwave that affected the US, Mexico, and Central America was found to be 35 times more likely due to human-induced climate change, according to a network of climate scientists. The heatwave, which caused significant distress in the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, was exacerbated by global warming, making it one of the most severe in recent history. A flash study revealed that human-caused climate change not only increased the likelihood of such extreme heat events but also intensified the temperatures. Specifically, the 5-day maximum temperature event was 1.4°C hotter, and night temperatures were approximately 1.6°C degrees hotter, making such events around 200 times more likely. This heatwave is part of a broader trend where deadly heat will become the norm in a world that is 2°C warmer. By far, it was the hottest May on record.