In an unprecedented turn of events, Fall 2024 has been documented as the warmest autumn season in recorded history. The announcement came from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information, highlighting a significant climatic shift.
As the final days of November signaled the end of the meteorological fall, which spans from September through November, NOAA’s report detailed a substantial increase in average temperatures. This year’s fall season recorded an average temperature of 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit (14.2 degrees Celsius), the highest since NOAA began keeping records 130 years ago.
Eighteen states across the United States experienced one of their top-three warmest falls ever. Notably, Maine, Wisconsin, Texas, Nebraska, and Minnesota registered their warmest falls in history. Additionally, Maine, New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut saw the driest fall on record, further emphasizing the unusual weather patterns observed this season.
The contiguous U.S. witnessed an average temperature from January to November of 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit (13.9 degrees Celsius), which is 3.3 degrees higher than the average, marking it the warmest on record for this time frame. The prolonged high temperatures contribute to the speculation that 2024 could become the warmest year on record, should the trend persist through December.
Sea-surface temperatures remained exceptionally high throughout the year, contributing to a record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season. The season concluded on November 30, after 18 named tropical systems were identified, with almost twelve escalating into hurricanes. As a result, 2024 ties with the years 1893, 2004, and 2005 for the fourth highest number of landfalling storms in a season, with expectations of it being among the costliest recorded.
Concerns about climate change have been underscored by significant weather anomalies observed throughout the year, urging experts to advocate for more ambitious climate action. The continuity of extreme weather conditions could have long-lasting impacts on global ecosystems and economies.
The record-breaking warmth of Fall 2024 presents a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by climate change. As scientists and policymakers navigate these shifts, the data serves as a crucial indicator of the urgent need for comprehensive climate strategies.
Source: Space
