2024 North America heat waves
| Areas | Mexico, United States, Central America |
|---|---|
| Start date | 17 March 2024 |
| Peak temp. | 48 °C (118 °F), recorded at San Juan Bautista Valle Nacional, Oaxaca, Mexico on 26 May 2024 |
| Losses | |
| Deaths | 48+ (Mexico) |
| Injuries | 950+ (Mexico) |
Beginning in March 2024, severe heat waves impacted Mexico, the Southern United States, and Central America, leading to dozens of broken temperature records,[1] mass deaths of animals from several threatened species, water shortages requiring rationing,[2] increased forest fires, and over 48 deaths in Mexico with over 950 people suffering from heat-related ailments.[3]
Mexico
The hot season in Mexico began on 17 March 2024.[4] In May 2024, a heat dome formed over the Southern Gulf of Mexico and over Mexico, which led to record high temperatures being recorded in 10 cities in Mexico.[1] Mexico City recorded a record high temperature of 34.7 °C (94.46 °F) on 25 May 2024.[2] San Juan Bautista Valle Nacional recorded a temperature of 48 °C (118.4 °F) on 26 May 2024, the highest recorded temperature in the state of Oaxaca.[5] The persistently high temperatures combined with seasonally lighter rainfall in the area led to increased risks of future water shortages, as well as power blackouts in part due to lowered water levels leading to decreased energy production from hydroelectric dams.[2] Over 48 deaths due to heat were reported, with over 950 people suffering from heat-related ailments including heat stroke and dehydration.[3]
At least 157 howler monkeys in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas died due to the prolonged excessive heat and resulting dehydration.[1] At least 100 parrots, toucans, bats, and other animals housed in the Selva Teenek eco-park in the state of San Luis Potosí also died due to dehydration.
United States
Southern Texas was struck with a heatwave starting on 25 May 2024, leading to numerous record breaking high temperatures recorded on 26 May 2024 in Del Rio at 112 °F (44.4 °C), Brownsville at 98 °F (36.7 °C) tied with the prior record set in 1928, and McAllen at 103 °F (39.4 °C).[6] The heatwave also broke temperature high records in several cities in Florida on 26 May 2024, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale at 96 °F (35.6 °C), West Palm Beach at 95 °F (35 °C), and tied a 1989 heat record in Winter Haven at 98 °F (36.7 °C). More heat records were broken on 27 May 2024 in Melbourne and Fort Pierce at 98 °F (36.7 °C).[citation needed]
On 4 June 2024, a heat dome moved into California, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, which National Weather Service meteorologists predict will lead to >100°F and potential record-breaking temperatures across California's Central Valley and Southern desert regions, far Southern Nevada, Southern Arizona, and Southern Texas by 6 June 2024. The National Weather Service predicted that by 7 June 2024, the heat wave would expand to the north and east into areas of Oregon, Colorado, Washington, and Idaho, and stated that temperature records could be set in multiple cities in this region. The National Weather Service further predicted that wildfires could easily and quickly spread in these areas due to the combination of extreme heat, low humidity, and wind gusts, especially in California.[7]
Central America
In Guatemala, outdoor activities were suspended in Guatemala City schools due to the increased risk of heat stroke.[8]
In Honduras, Northern regions including San Pedro Sula had blackouts caused by transformer failures due to the increased prolonged heat.[9]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Over 150 monkey deaths now linked to heat wave in Mexico: "There are going to be a lot of casualties" - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ a b c "Photos: Submerged homes and heatwaves fuel Mexico climate angst". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ a b "Experts warn of hail, whirlwinds in Mexico after new heat record in the capital". Reuters. 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Mexico heat wave melts temperature records in 10 cities, including Mexico City". NBC News. 2024-05-11. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ Livingston, Ian (28 May 2024). "What to know about the brutal heat dome shifting from Mexico into the U.S." The Washington Post.
- ^ Bushard, Brian. "New Heat Records Set In Florida And Texas: Here Are The Big Memorial Day Weekend Records". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ Gilbert, Mary (2024-06-03). "A heat dome will send temperatures into the triple-digits across the West as fires burn". CNN. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
- ^ "'Heat dome' behind extreme heat in Mexico, Central America and US". euronews. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ "Prolonged Drought and Heatwaves Affect Honduras' Power Supply". The Tico Times. 2024-05-19. Retrieved 2024-05-29.