August Sets Global Temperature Record

Why it matters locally: Arizona experienced its hottest summer on record in 2023, with Phoenix recording an unprecedented 31 consecutive days of temperatures at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This national trend of rising global and US temperatures directly impacts the state's already strained water resources and increases the risk of extreme heat-related health issues for its 7.4 million residents.

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August recorded the highest global average temperatures ever measured, according to scientific assessments. This development follows a summer during which temperatures in the United States also surpassed historical records. Researchers documented August's global average temperature as the highest on record. Simultaneously, summer temperatures across the United States exceeded all prior measurements.