Eight days ago was only the second 90-degree day of the year. It has been 90+ every day since with today the hottest so far this year. Now we are in a heat wave that will see record high temperatures next week.
Gandy pointed out that the average temperature for this time of year is 86 degrees F in Columbia, South Carolina. The National Weather Service office in the Atlanta area also sounded the alarm about the potential for broken records. The Saturday morning forecast discussion read:
Temperatures will continue to be the big story with highs a bit higher than Friday with mid 90d across the metro and around 100 across the SE portion of the area. Outside shot of all time May record in Atlanta for today but more likely for Macon with 99 degrees forecast.
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Clearly, weather patterns explain this heat wave. I often cringe when people use a "cold day" to refute climate change. I also point out that "one hot" day or week doesn't necessarily affirm it either. However, there is plenty of evidence that climate change is happening so resist the urge to use one day. The 2018 National Climate Assessment report (and most studies or statements from credible science organizations) released by the Trump Administration highlighted that extreme heat will become a "new normal." For example, the figure below illustrates that the number of nighttime temperatures above 75 degrees F has increased dramatically. This is far more worrisome than daytime temperatures from the standpoint of human health according to scientific and health experts. The report points out:
Sixty-one percent of major Southeast cities are exhibiting some aspects of worsening heat waves, which is a higher percentage than any other region of the country. Hot days and warm nights together impact human comfort and health and result in the need for increased cooling efforts. Agriculture is also impacted by a lack of nighttime cooling.
Read more at 3 Things to Know About the Memorial Day Heat Wave in the Southeast
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