MEMPHIS, Tenn. — 2023 set the record for the hottest year in the modern record. 2024 looks like it has the potential to challenge this just a year later. While the result of this year's ranking is still a ways off, there is concern as highlighted in the trends show in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's most recent global climate report.
This report states that this past April ranked as the warmest April in the 175-year climate record. This is the 11th month in a row that this has occurred and it is looking very likely that May could follow this trend. A huge part of this has been record ocean temperatures that continue even with El Nino expected to officially come to an end in the next few months.
Along with the ongoing streak of record-breaking heat, NOAA also states that 2024 as a whole year now has a 100% chance of ending up in the top 5 warmest years in the modern record. Going even further, the report states this year has a 61% chance of becoming the hottest year, beating out the record that was set just last year.
Looking more regionally at the United States, heading into what is typically the hottest time of the year; Summer, things look to be warm again. While the official Summer Outlook is still being made by NOAA, the thought is that most of the US is at risk of seeing warmer than average conditions for the months of June, July, and August. This, coupled with what is expected to be a very active hurricane season could make for a very eventful Summer weather-wise for the country.