Summer heat continues to bleed into our fall months
According to a Climate Central study, summer temperatures are spilling over into our fall months. The study looked at the last calendar day when local temperatures reached their average daily summer high. In Jacksonville, the study shows that since 1970 our average summer high temperatures have lasted seven days longer. Number of days Jacksonville's summer heat continues into fall since 1970 (Climate Central)These warmer-than-average temperatures lingering into our cooler months can have a lasting impact on our native plants and animals whose life cycles are scheduled around seasonal changes. These high temperatures lasting longer could also mean water stress and excessive heat that can negatively impact crops.
Sea levels could rise higher than previously thought, new study says
7 to 23 inches -- The projected amount sea levels were expected to rise by the end of the century in 2007. Entire coastal cities could be wiped out if there aren't enough sea defenses in place. China's low-lying big cities are particularly vulnerable, according to a Climate Central press release -- think Shanghai, Tianjin, and Hong Kong. Previous reports had predicted that sea levels could rise by three feet (0.9 meters) -- which Climate Central researchers now say was too conservative an estimate. Rising sea levels contribute to warmer global temperatures, changing what kinds of crops farmers can grow -- meaning millions of people could face food and drinking water scarcity, health crises, and a disrupted global economy.
Climate crisis could make it more dangerous to play sports outdoors
The National Weather Service's heat index measures how hot it feels when you factor in relative humidity with the actual air temperature. The South and Southwest see these high heat index days throughout the summer. Miami had 160.6 days extreme heat days on average over the last five years, for example. A "danger" day is when the combined heat and humidity makes it feel like it's 105 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. For both conditions, "danger" days and "heat index" days, it can be dangerous to exercise outside and can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.