Why we’ve seen more 90-degree days now than before

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – More hot weather is on the way, and we’ve been experiencing more hot days and hot nights on average then in the past.

Between 1970 and 1979 not only did we feel the hot temperatures during the day, we also felt them during the night, about five times-per-year on average. The number has gone up to seven times-per-year on average from 2014 to 2023. This number is set to climb more with the coming years.

We experience hot days and hot nights in the summer. But, what exactly do those terms mean? It is the minimum and maximum temperatures of the day when they exceed the 90th percentile.

Looking at heatwaves, last year we only had one official heat wave. And, that heatwave came in September, which was not during the standard June through August, the standard hot months of the year. This year so far, it’s only July and we’ve had 2 so far. Not counting the 5 day heatwave we had earlier. A heatwave is consecutive days with temperatures above 90 degrees at the peak.

In 2024 we have had 11 days so far this year above 90 degrees, already surpassing last year. And we still have the rest of the summer to go. These temperatures continue to track later and later through the year, so the numbers are expected to go up.

Jack Wu joined the 22News Storm Team in July 2023. Follow Jack on X @the_jackwu and view his bio to see more of his work.

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