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Unprecedented 21st century heat across the Pacific Northwest of North America

Earth Sciences

Unprecedented 21st century heat across the Pacific Northwest of North America

K. J. Heeter, G. L. Harley, et al.

In the summer of 2021, the Pacific Northwest faced an extreme heatwave with record-breaking temperatures that haven’t been seen in the last millennium. Research by Karen J. Heeter, Grant L. Harley, John T. Abatzoglou, Kevin J. Anchukaitis, Edward R. Cook, Bethany L. Coulthard, Laura A. Dye, and Inga K. Homfeld highlights the urgent need for adaptation to extreme heat as climate models suggest a high risk of similar events in the near future.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) of North America experienced an extreme heatwave in summer 2021, resulting in record-breaking temperatures. Tree-ring data reveals that these temperatures and the rate of summertime warming over recent decades are unprecedented in the last millennium. Climate model projections, absent significant emission reductions, indicate a drastically increased risk of similar events, with a 50% chance of yearly occurrence by 2050. This event underscores the need for PNW communities to adapt to extreme heat.
Publisher
npj Climate and Atmospheric Science
Published On
Feb 17, 2023
Authors
Karen J. Heeter, Grant L. Harley, John T. Abatzoglou, Kevin J. Anchukaitis, Edward R. Cook, Bethany L. Coulthard, Laura A. Dye, Inga K. Homfeld
Tags
Pacific Northwest
heatwave
climate change
extreme temperatures
tree-ring data
emission reductions
adaptation

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