Title: Death Valley reaches 130 degrees, hottest temperature in U.S. in at least 107 years - CBS News
Headings: Death Valley reaches 130 degrees, hottest temperature in U.S. in at least 107 years
Death Valley reaches 130 degrees, hottest temperature in U.S. in at least 107 years
Content: Since 1972, there has been an 8-fold increase in summer forest fire extent. A recent study from Columbia University found that dry conditions in the West have also contributed to a megadrought that has been going on since 2000, making it perhaps one of the worst in 1,200 years. Over the past few of decades, heat waves have become more intense, according to various studies. One study released earlier this summer found that, since 1950, heat waves globally are getting significantly more frequent, lasting longer and producing more cumulative heat — making populations more vulnerable to heat stress. According to Climate Central, the western U.S. is warming the fastest of all the regions in the continental U.S. Some areas have warmed 3 to 5 degrees during summer just since 1970 due to human-caused climate change. That means heat waves start out at a higher baseline and heat domes have more cumulative heat to concentrate, pushing heat waves into uncharted territory. Map of summer warming trends in the U.S. since 1970 Climate Central
As a result, Palm Springs, California, now averages 14 extra days per summer with high temperatures of at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Trend line showing number of days per yeaar of heat in excess of 110 degrees in Palm Springs, California, since 1970. Climate Central
Scientists say this heating trend will continue to become more intense as long as heat-trapping greenhouse gases continue to be released through the burning of fossil fuels. In fact, computer models project that heat index days above 100 degrees in Texas will triple from 40 days before the year 2000 to 130 days by the end of the 21st century.