TL/DR –
Y’all, it’s November, and the East Coast is still steamy. With 49 states in a drought, it’s clear Mother Nature’s feeling some type of way about our greenhouse gas problem. Meanwhile, Las Vegas just clocked its hottest October ever, proving that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas—sometimes it spills over into climate chaos.
Unseasonably Warm Election Day: What’s Going On?
As Americans hit the polls on Election Day, they experienced unusually warm November temperatures. New Yorkers saw the warmest weather since the 1930s. High temperatures, drought, and strong winds set the stage for fires in the area.
It wasn’t just NYC. The World Meteorological Organization says this year is potentially the hottest on record globally, making warm spells more common across the US.
Climate Central reported some cities were 20 degrees hotter than usual, with Kentucky to Florida seeing more warmth. They noted that 185 out of 191 cities analyzed were hotter than average, with the highest anomalies in the Rockies to Mississippi. Nearly half of the hottest October records were in Texas.
The Southwest, especially Grand Junction, Colorado, experienced record-breaking heat. Las Vegas also saw its hottest October, while Atlanta has been trending warmer over decades.
As November begins, the heatwave continues in the Southeast and Northeast. Southeast voters faced near-record highs. Cities like Nashville and Columbia broke records, with climate change making these temperatures more likely.
Up the coast, Boston and Philadelphia experienced record heat due to climate change. The National Weather Service forecasts continued warmth from the Mid-Atlantic to the Gulf Coast.
Social media is buzzing. @CharlesW.Harper suggests enjoying the “summer” day, while @A_NascimentoD questions the 70-degree weather in upstate NY.
While some enjoy the warm November, others worry about its implications. Drought plagues 49 states, with 87.8% of the Lower 48 affected. A NOAA study predicts hotter, longer droughts in the Southwest and Great Plains due to climate change.
In NYC, under drought watch, temperatures will stay above normal.
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Original Story at www.independent.co.uk
