Erick Burgueño Salas
Research expert covering climate change and the water industry
Get in touch with us nowU.S. cities - temperature change in summer and winter 2000-2050
It is expected that the highest temperature in Summer on average will be approximately 4.8 degrees Fahrenheit hotter in New York City by 2050 compared to the year 2000. The Winter lowest temperature will be 4.2 degrees hotter by 2050. The city of Chicago, Illinois expects an even higher increase of 5.6 degrees Fahrenheit in Summer's highest temperature and an increase of 5.8 degrees in Winter.
The average temperatures in the U.S. have risen significantly since 1895. Long-term changes in climate can directly or indirectly affect many aspects of a person’s life. For example, warmer days could increase air conditioning or water supply costs. One way to measure the influence of temperature change on energy demand is by using heating and cooling degree days. Cooling degree days measure the difference between outdoor temperature and a temperature that people generally find comfortable indoors. Cooling degree days have not increased significantly over the past decades. However, a slight increase is evident for this period. In 2014, there were around 1,300 cooling degree days in the U.S., compared to 1,241 in 2009. More cooling degree days indicate an increase in temperature, leading to a greater likeliness of using air conditioning.
Extreme heat in the U.S. – additional information
Projected changes in global average temperature are associated with widespread changes in weather patterns. Scientific studies indicate that extreme weather events, such as heat waves, are likely to become more frequent or more intense within the next few years. These changes may lead to an increase in heat-related deaths in the United States. Outdoor temperatures can affect daily life in many ways. Extreme heat and the combination of high heat and humidity can pose a serious risk for human health. Exposure to extreme heat can lead to heat stroke and dehydration, as well as cardiovascular, respiratory and cerebrovascular disease. When the weather becomes excessively hot, it can be deadly. According to the National Weather Service, heat waves caused 45 fatalities in the United States in 2015.The average temperatures in the U.S. have risen significantly since 1895. Long-term changes in climate can directly or indirectly affect many aspects of a person’s life. For example, warmer days could increase air conditioning or water supply costs. One way to measure the influence of temperature change on energy demand is by using heating and cooling degree days. Cooling degree days measure the difference between outdoor temperature and a temperature that people generally find comfortable indoors. Cooling degree days have not increased significantly over the past decades. However, a slight increase is evident for this period. In 2014, there were around 1,300 cooling degree days in the U.S., compared to 1,241 in 2009. More cooling degree days indicate an increase in temperature, leading to a greater likeliness of using air conditioning.
