More Hot Extremes

A study published in Nature Climate Change shows that despite the so-called pause in rising global mean temperature, the number of extremely hot days has grown over the past 15 years. Extreme heat waves are becoming more likely and have greater immediate impact on society.

Update (July 13):  This week we face a forecast of several 100 degree Fahrenheit days.  In addition to three times as many heat waves as the historic average, Lindsay Abrams lists six other ways summers get worse due to climate change.

Update (July 17, 2016):  Climate Central projects rising numbers of dangerously hot days (with a heat index of 105 or more) and rising humidity for many U.S. cities by 2050.

Update (June 20, 2017):  A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that even with reduced carbon dioxide emissions, more people will be exposed to deadly heat waves.

Using historic data, the team found that 30 percent of the world’s population sees at least 20 days each year that surpass the temperature and humidity thresholds for a deadly event at a given location.

Under even the most stringent cuts to emissions — cuts that are virtually unfeasible at present — that proportion would increase to half by 2100. If emissions aren’t curtailed at all and continue to increase, 75 percent would be under threat.