The U.S. smashed heat records in March. Just wait for El Niño this summer
PBS • • nation
Key Points:
- March 2024 was the hottest month on record in the continental U.S., with temperatures 9.35°F above the 20th-century average, breaking a 132-year record for abnormal heat.
- Over 19,800 daily heat records and more than 2,000 monthly heat records were set in March, highlighting the increasing impact of human-caused climate change.
- The period from April 2025 to March 2026 is projected to be the warmest 12-month span on record in the continental U.S., with persistent drought compounding heat-related challenges.
- A "super" strong El Niño event is forecasted to develop later in 2024, potentially surpassing previous records and driving global temperatures to new highs in late 2026 and 2027.
- This super-sized El Niño could cause long-term shifts in climate patterns, influencing hurricane activity and drought conditions, with climate change likely intensifying these effects.
