WASHINGTON - This probably comes as no surprise: Federal scientists say July
was the hottest month ever recorded in the Lower 48 states, breaking a record
set during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
And even less a surprise: The U.S. this year keeps setting records for
weather extremes, based on the precise calculations that include drought, heavy
rainfall, unusual temperatures, and storms.
The average temperature last month was 77.6 degrees. That breaks the old
record from July 1936 by 0.2 degree, according to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration. Records go back to 1895.
"It's a pretty significant increase over the last record," said climate
scientist Jake Crouch of NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.
In the past, skeptics of global warming have pointed to the Dust Bowl to argue
that recent heat isn't unprecedented. But Crouch said this shows that the
current year "is out and beyond those Dust Bowl years. We're rivaling and
beating them consistently from month to month." Three of the nation's five
hottest months on record have been recent Julys: This year, 2011 and 2006.
Julys in 1936 and 1934 round out the top five.Last month also was 3.3
degrees warmer than the 20th century average for July...
More Here: http://www.startribune.com/nation/165431126.html?refer=y
was the hottest month ever recorded in the Lower 48 states, breaking a record
set during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
And even less a surprise: The U.S. this year keeps setting records for
weather extremes, based on the precise calculations that include drought, heavy
rainfall, unusual temperatures, and storms.
The average temperature last month was 77.6 degrees. That breaks the old
record from July 1936 by 0.2 degree, according to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration. Records go back to 1895.
"It's a pretty significant increase over the last record," said climate
scientist Jake Crouch of NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.
In the past, skeptics of global warming have pointed to the Dust Bowl to argue
that recent heat isn't unprecedented. But Crouch said this shows that the
current year "is out and beyond those Dust Bowl years. We're rivaling and
beating them consistently from month to month." Three of the nation's five
hottest months on record have been recent Julys: This year, 2011 and 2006.
Julys in 1936 and 1934 round out the top five.Last month also was 3.3
degrees warmer than the 20th century average for July...
More Here: http://www.startribune.com/nation/165431126.html?refer=y
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