2024 marked a significant milestone as the hottest year on record, with unprecedented heat impacting regions around the globe, including the United States. This year’s temperature soared due to growing evidence of human-induced climate change, which has caused extreme weather events to become increasingly common and severe.
According to Axios, the average high temperature recorded last year for Pittsburgh was 65.9 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the previous norm by 4.7 degrees, based on 77 years of data from Pittsburgh International Airport. The National Weather Service (NWS) noted the city’s average temperature reached 56.4 degrees, which is one degree higher than the previous record set back in 1921.
Pittsburgh wasn’t alone; Detroit also shared the spotlight, being one of the many U.S. cities where record-breaking temperatures were realized. Climate Central reported, “It’s official, 2024 was the hottest year on record—globally, in the U.S. and in Detroit.” They noted the overall climate across all four seasons is warming up at different rates, with winter being the fastest warming season for Detroit.
One of the most alarming climate events this year occurred when 14 tornadoes tore through southwestern Pennsylvania, breaking the previous record of 11 tornadoes from the notorious May 1985 outbreak. The NWS reinforced the growing incidents of severe weather, including substantial flooding earlier this year, which saw the Ohio River crest to its highest level in nearly two decades.
Further compounding the stressful situation, heavy rainfall and flash floods led to evacuations and rescues throughout the area, underscoring the urgent need for cities like Pittsburgh to improve climate resilience. The city has taken important steps to mitigate these effects, implementing new stormwater regulations and aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030 as part of its climate action plan.
Yet, challenges remain, including the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s report stating the city is currently not on track to meet its overall emissions reduction goals by the target deadline. This denotes a common predicament faced by many regions attempting to adapt to the intensifying impacts of climate change.
Beyond Pittsburgh and Detroit, the broader national picture depicted distressing trends: 17 states experienced their warmest year on record, with researchers from Climate Central finding 31% of 243 U.S. cities examined had their hottest year also this past year. Collectively, these places faced extreme weather disasters resulting in damages tallied at 27 billion dollars.
The results are dire, as the World Weather Attribution group provided statistics citing, “41 more days of dangerous heat on average in 2024.” With such chronic effects leading to tragedy across various regions, reports conveyed numerous deaths and millions displaced, pinning the blame on weather and climate disasters making headlines.
Weather patterns pivoting toward hotter averages push even the most complacent to reconsider their approach to climate change. From drier conditions recorded across the globe to intensified winter warmings, advocates and scientists stress the growing necessity for cities and states to react swiftly to curb emissions and adapt infrastructures to weather the future storms and heat waves.
The urgent nature of these transformations cannot be overstated. With each rise on the temperature scales, the risks intensify, and communities must brace for what has been deemed the new normal. A lack of effective adaptation could lead to staggering costs, not just financially but also human tolls as populations become exposed to increased health risks and environmental instability.
Conclusion: Looking forward, the immediate priority must reside within the frameworks set to cut global temperatures, with cities like Pittsburgh and Detroit leading the charge. Without concerted climate action, the trend of extreme weather will only become more pronounced, painting a bleak picture for future generations.