Climate change boosted extreme heat in Arizona this summer, report says

This summer was the hottest on record across the contiguous U.S. and climate scientists say that is clearly attributable to human-caused carbon pollution. The impacts of climate change were especially evident in Arizona.

Climate Central

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A new analysis from the research organization Climate Central shows climate change boosted temperatures worldwide throughout June, July and August.

“With this report, we’re really just trying to say, yes, it’s been extraordinarily hot this summer across the Northern Hemisphere, including in the U.S., and climate change is a big part of that,” said Climate Central vice president for science, Kristina Dahl.

Dahl said Climate Central compared this summer’s temperatures to historical temperature data to quantify the impact of climate change on any given day across the globe.

“With a climate model, you can dial up and down the levels of human emissions and greenhouse gases and see how the atmosphere responds,” Dahl said.

Climate Central found Arizona had 56 days this summer when unusually warm temperatures showed a strong climate change link. Nationwide, the average was 26 days.

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This summer’s temperatures across Arizona were 2.7 degrees hotter than normal, the analysis shows. It was the hottest summer on record statewide and the second-hottest on record for Phoenix.

Dahl said carbon pollution loads the dice in favor of extreme conditions.

“A place like Phoenix has always had warm temperatures in the summertime, and climate change is making those hottest of hot temperatures more likely,” Dahl said.