Scientists say Southwest heat is latest in parade of ultra extremes
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- The U.S. Southwest is experiencing an unprecedented March heat wave with temperatures reaching 112°F (44.4°C), breaking national records and occurring months earlier than usual, highlighting the growing impact of climate change.
- Scientists and experts classify this event as an "ultra-extreme" weather phenomenon, similar to other recent disasters like the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave and 2022 Pakistan floods, with human-caused climate change making such events virtually impossible without global warming.
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports a doubling in the area affected by extreme weather over the past 20 years, with the U.S. breaking 77% more heat records than in the 1970s and seeing a significant rise in costly billion-dollar
