Unofficial Record for Hottest Day Ever Sweeps the Globe

Scientists at the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer project reported that on July 3, the world experienced an unofficial record for the highest temperature ever recorded.

On both July 3 and 4, northern Canada, Quebec, and Peru witnessed high temperature records being shattered. Meteorologist Zack Taylor from the National Weather Service noted that numerous cities across the U.S., from Medford, Oregon to Tampa, Florida, have experienced unprecedented high temperatures. Meanwhile, Beijing documented a week straight of temperatures surpassing 35 C (95 F).

While this record for global temperature is still preliminary and pending validation from esteemed climate assessment organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), it undeniably points to climate change entering an unknown domain. Deke Arndt, director of the National Center for Environmental Information, part of NOAA, affirmed that these figures would be included in NOAA’s official record calculations, as they truly reflect the global warming trend.

OTHER NEWS
Head of IAEA to inspect Japan’s tsunami-hit nuclear plant prior to radioactive water discharge
Potential shark sightings result in increased patrols on New York’s Long Island beaches
Despite heat and rain, Fourth of July celebrated across the US
Despite rain delay, Joey Chestnut defends title at Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog contest

Arndt also emphasized that while daily records may not bear the same weight as monthly or yearly observations within the climate assessment community, they do indicate that we are in a phase of a likely warmer era, propelled by greenhouse gas emissions and the beginning of a significant El Nino. The latter is a temporary natural warming in parts of the central Pacific Ocean affecting global weather and generally heating the planet.

According to the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer, the global daily average temperature on July 3 was 17.01 degrees Celsius or 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This dataset has crossed the 17-degree Celsius mark for the first time in its 44-year history.

This increase in global average temperatures implies harsher conditions for people worldwide. The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center issued heat advisories for over 30 million people in various U.S. regions, while excessive heat warnings are in effect across southern Arizona and California.

These extreme temperatures pose health risks, especially for the young and the elderly, as their bodies are not acclimated to such conditions, according to Erinanne Saffell, the Arizona state climatologist and an extreme weather and climate events expert.

This report was jointly filed by Borenstein from Washington and Walling from Chicago.

Stay updated with AP’s climate and environment coverage at https://bigbignews.net/climate-and-environment

Follow Seth Borenstein and Melina Walling on Twitter at @borenbears and @MelinaWalling.

AP’s climate and environmental coverage is backed by several private foundations. For more on AP’s climate initiative, click here. The AP solely bears responsibility for all content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Global warming

More about Global warming

• University of Maine Climate Reanalyzer
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)
• National Center for Environmental Information
• National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center
• Effects of Heat on Health
• Understanding Global Warming
• El Nino and its global impact